James Cook University Central Plaza

Central Plaza is a series of spaces for small and large gatherings at a crossroads in the University’s desire lines across the campus. The focal element is the dramatic sheltering canopy with its integrated artwork. The project is engaged with the adjacent riparian creek landscape and includes a large event lawn and intertwined water feature. The scheme delivers an immediate offering of shade, shelter and identity for the Campus with the alignment of connecting pathways responding to the future built form and axis outlined in the Masterplan. The roof canopy was developed to reflect the history and future of the University and its engagement with community. The geometry is developed from two connected but opposing tapering vaults, producing a memorable space that is elegant, fluid and spatially complex. Amplifying this dramatic volume is the incorporation of artwork by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope, who developed a two-dimensional work in response to the form that was effectively overlayed on the three-dimensional canopy soffit. The artwork After the flood is a continuation of Megan Cope’s flooded landscape series, which illustrates how environment, identity, geomorphology and mapping are interwoven over time. Cope has imagined a timeless landscape using old military maps of the Townsville coastline. The artwork sees a potential future tideline from sea level rise connected to climate change, and consequences for the ecosystems of rainforest and reef environments. The ancient reef and galactic formations also included in the artwork connect to cycles and natural calendars of weather patterns, katabatic winds, and cyclones that move through the Sea and Land through the seasons and time immemorial. The artist, curator, fabricator, contractor and architect worked together to resolve this complex and magical integration of art and architecture. The soffit is constructed of 479 individual printed perforated panels. The work integrates with the curved roof form, mirrored stainless steel roof supports, formed triple curved fascia and insitu cantilevered off form concrete plinths. The canopy becomes a wave of knowledge systems and a reference point for multi-disciplinary fields of research connected to the local environments and students committed to learning about Gurrumbilbarra and Thul Garrie Waja Country.