The Griffith University Administration Building houses the Council Chambers, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Provost and associated support staff. In addition, the departments of External Affairs, Finance and Business Commercialisation, Research and Human Resources also occupy the structure. The building was conceived as a secondary facility for the Vice Chancellor and University Executive, with the primary facility being located at the Nathan Campus since the conception of the University. Since the successful completion of this building and the ongoing growth of the Gold Coast Campus it is envisaged that this new facility will become the permanent home for the Griffith University Council and therefore the public face of the University. The brief was for an iconic building to mark the gateway to the university. The brief called for the building to be a facility to allow the university executive to engage with philanthropic joint venture and research bodies and investment organisations. The conceptual planning of the building was based around a strong central spine and entry stair leading up to the Vice Chancellors suite and Council Chambers. A feature of the building is the two storey open verandah entry space overlooked by the Council Chambers and accessed as an entertainment area from the lower level conference rooms. Generous overhangs and the metered use

of glass and screening provide sun control to the northern and western elevations. The southern elevation provides transparency, connection and focus to the University Campus. Open plan workstations lie along the external walls allowing natural light to penetrate into all work areas including the offices, which back onto the central spine. Shared amenities and meeting rooms are centralised within the central spine service zones and are spread strategically across the facility, providing an efficient and cost effective planning solution whilst still satisfying the University’s design guideline requirements. The general selection of materials, fixtures and fittings is in keeping with the University design guidelines. The predominant red colour was a client briefing requirement. In keeping with the long term environmental plans of the university the minimal impact on the existing landscape and vegetation was achieved. The building was procured under the Griffith University’s design and construct procurement method. As this was Fairweather Proberts first involvement in a Griffith building project, the contractual arrangement presented early economic challenges for meeting brief to budget. However a good working relationship with the university and the head building contractor resulted in a building that met the brief budget and the university’s design