University of Newcastle unveils its future for creative studies, innovation and entrepreneurship at Honeysuckle

Monday, 31 May 2021

The University of Newcastle will soon welcome the region’s next generation of creative artists, songwriters, animators and innovators to its Honeysuckle City Campus site - with the handover of keys on the Q Building project this week.

L-R: Ms Siobhan Curran, Senior Manager, University of Newcastle Integrated Innovation Network; Ms Valentina Misevska, COO Hunter Central Coast Development Corp., Hon. Taylor Martin, NSW MLC for the Hunter Region; Prof Alex Zelinsky, Vice Chancellor University of Newcastle; Cr Nuatali Nelmes, Lord Mayor, City of Newcastle; Prof Paul Eggelstone, Head of School of Creative Industries; Prof John Fischetti, Pro Vice Chancellor, College of Human and Social Futures; Mr Damian Burke, Capital Project Director, Q Building; Mr Jonathon Russell, Q Biulding Construction Manager, Hansen Yuncken; Mr Matt Bandy, Newcastle Business Development Manager, Hansen Yuncken; Mr Anthony Furniss, Lead Architect – Q Building, EJE Architects

Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky picked up the keys from builders Hansen Yuncken today and confirmed the state-of-the-art Q Building (formerly referred to at Honeysuckle Stage 1A) will open its doors to University of Newcastle students from 19 July.

Fast-tracked by the NSW Government as part of their “shovel-ready” infrastructure stimulus during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Q Building will house new facilities for the University’s creative disciplines of Media Arts Production, News and Digital Media, Animation, Creative Arts, Performing Arts, Song writing and Music Production.

It will also be the new home to two of the University’s industry and community engagement facilities. Q Building will house the Future Arts and Science and Technology Lab (FASTLab)– a living lab and translational research centre, as well as the Integrated Innovation Network Hub (I2N) dedicated to the incubation, start-up, scale-up and launch of new commercial ventures.

“Q Building is set to become the entrepreneurial epicentre of the Hunter,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“From its inception, we have designed and delivered Q Building to give our students access to the best technical equipment for their studies. This includes a black box studio, animation studios, showcase performance and teaching spaces, as well as audio visual studios and a ground floor makerspace where ideas become reality,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“Through our funding partnership with Restart NSW, City of Newcastle, and the Hunter Innovation Project, we will also be providing our communities with access to the latest in innovation and business start-up and scale-up services – delivered through I2N,” Prof Zelinsky said.

Professor Zelinsky said that by co-locating these two facilities, the University is providing students, staff and industry partners with continuity of exposure to a “create and innovate” ecosystem.

“With delivery of Q Building at Honeysuckle, the University of Newcastle is providing students, staff and new businesses with space that encourages the convergence of ideas, creation, innovation, and commercialisation delivered through FASTLab and the I2N Hub.

“These facilities will be incredibly important for new industries and economic growth in our region to thrive,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“I want to thank our partners for helping the University realise this vision and for supporting the project through to completion.

“Q Building will be a place to participate and collaborate, and I welcome anyone to enquire and engage in this unique space. I’ll be looking forward to the first graduands to make their way into the world after studying in this terrific facility.”

More facts about Q Building:

Q Building is the first facility to be delivered on the University of Newcastle’s Honeysuckle City Campus Masterplan site. This $25million building has been achieved through a funding partnership between the NSW Government, the University, and the City of Newcastle’s Hunter Innovation Project. Q Building was delivered under the NSW Government’s shovel-ready capital project fast-track initiative in 2020.

Building Location:

16 Honeysuckle Drive and Worth Place, Newcastle

Project Delivery:
  • Architects: EJE Newcastle
  • Construction Managers: Hansen Yuncken Newcastle
  • Project Managers: APP Newcastle
Sustainable construction methodology:

Q Building features a concrete core, with its remaining internal structure built using sustainably sourced, cross-laminated timber. The facility is encased at the north and west in 344 Sage thermal glass panels – the largest installation of this highly technical and environmentally friendly material in the southern hemisphere.

Installing Sage thermal glass in these sections of the building exterior will greatly impact the buildings climate and temperature moderations, where the glass tints according to the intensity of the sun and retain our design principles of openness and transparency.

University of Newcastle students of the creative industries will study from Q Building from Semester Two (19 July 2021).

The Q Building will welcome I2N start-ups, scale-ups and venture organisations from late June.

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