A new solar research 'Design Hub' at RMIT University in Melbourne will officially open today.

The building is designed by RMIT alumnus Sean Godsell from Sean Godsell Architects and aims to incorporate a range of ESD features including strategies for water efficiency, waste recycling management, evaporative cooling and incorporating fresh air inside.

The building itself has an automated sun shading 'outer skin' which includes photovoltaic cells and the design of the northern façade will be used in ongoing research into solar cells which will be conducted by industry and RMIT.

The development cost a total of $80 million with a grant from the Federal Government contributing $28.6 million.

The function of the Design Hub is to serve as a multi disciplinary building where research from across RMIT will take place including from mechanical manufacturing and aerospace engineering and textile design and technology.

One of the research projects which will be housed by the Hub is The Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory whose researchers have spent decades working with a design team in Barcelona to study Gaudi’s unfinished work, the Sagrada Familia.

The building will also have a space for exhibitions and multi purpose rooms as well as having the capacity to stream information from the internet and broadcast it throughout the building.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO said:

“The Design Hub not only supports the cross-pollination of ideas between disciplines to foster collaboration and innovative research outcomes, it is also home to Australia’s largest network of spaces for the exhibition of design.

“The building itself will act as an urban research laboratory, with the distinctive façade designed to be adapted to emerging solar technologies and offering opportunities for applied research."

Photography by Earl Carter

Madeline Prince

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