Macquarie University Incubator

The Macquarie University Incubator aims to amplify and imbue deep thinking around innovation, bringing together entrepreneurial spirit, ingenuity, collaboration and support. It will be a vehicle for the University’s engagement with industry, government, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs. Conceived as a pair of timber pavilions, the Incubator provides flexible layouts that lend themselves to future adaptations and functions for start-ups. “From the beginning, we knew we didn’t want a standard office building for this space. We wanted something truly innovative that would inspire those who work in it,” says John Shi-Nash, Director, Incubation and Entrepreneurship. The ultimate aim of the Incubator was to physically manifest Macquarie’s University’s renowned innovation in place and space. Multiple geometries were analysed and tested by the design team for their clarity of expression, buildability, structurally innovative qualities and capacity to accommodate a diverse workplace, micro-environments and the regular churn. The architecture is aspirational and representative of an innovative collaborative education space. Set in the magnificent Australian bush of Macquarie University, the building floats, extending its large eaves to meet the mature eucalyptus trees. Although the incubator encourages technological advancement it is also a story about place. Timber is the main construction material; the majority of modular components were prefabricated offsite to ensure rapid construction and minimal disruption to the concurrent University semester. A variety of certified timber species were chosen, with guidance provided by the expertise of ARUP Structure (Sydney) it was determined; a ceiling diaphragm of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), large span Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams and Glulam V columns would form the cassettes. This system would be ideal for achieving efficiencies in structural spanning, fabrication and installation, and also introduce visual dynamism across a uniform structural system. The vertical envelope is composed of panels of plywood, CNC-cut to optimise material use from standard sheet sizes and resourcefully arranged creating a distinctive character. The resulting building was completed within five months of construction commencing, and despite flexibility and relocation being a strong factor of the original design brief, the Incubator will remain permanently in its current location. The Incubator is designed to be 100% reusable therefore, sustainability was key to the design approach; selection of materials; fabrication of modular timber cassettes; installation of the structural system and strategy for services. The mechanical solution is designed to benefit from external conditions, providing assisted natural ventilation to the spaces for more than 60% of the year as required, and tempering incoming air in peak seasons to maintain a comfortable environment. This is aided by the building’s form with the overhanging roof and solid façade elements minimising external solar and heat gains. Other sustainable initiatives include, the installation of photovoltaic roof system supplying 65% of the electricity required for the operation, and rainwater run-off being captured for irrigation. The Incubator is a demonstration that Macquarie University is facilitating societal advancement through partnerships, through research, through invention and through high quality sustainable architectural design. “The Incubator is one of the best examples of innovative collaboration between client, designer, contractor and subcontractors that I’ve ever seen. Together we delivered a visionary project within budget, on-time and to a quality that exceeded everyone’s expectations.” Mark Broomfield, Director of Property, Macquarie University. 'The reality is that everyone loves the building and it has a visceral impact. The demand for start-ups to come into the space is overwhelming'. Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Corporate Engagement and Advancement, Macquarie University.