(14 July 2010)
Laing O'Rourke has been awarded the design and construct contract for a new health centre and common user teaching facility, at the Griffith University's Gold Coast campus in Queensland, Australia.

The A$110m project will comprise the design and construction of two buildings to accommodate and support the teaching, research and clinical facilities.

The 12-storey Griffith Health Centre will be the new home for the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Oral Health, and Psychology, and form the base for the university's principal anatomy teaching facility.  It will also include clinical facilities for delivering community healthcare, including oral health, dental care, psychology, physiotherapy, audiology and extended GP services.  The second building will be a common-use teaching facility, and will include a 600-seat lecture theatre, seminar rooms, bookshop and restaurant.

Building North Executive General Manager Lawrie Foster said Laing O'Rourke would provide full design and construction service on the project, including involvement in the selection of the successful architect.  "Projects like these are highly specialised and have very specific requirements for the medical and teaching spaces," Lawrie said. "We will work closely with the university to ensure the two new buildings meet their exacting specifications."

Construction is expected to commence in 2011, with a target completion date of December 2012.

The contract award follows the recent completion of four buildings for the University of Queensland and ongoing works for the University of Southern Queensland, and underlines the Group’s strength in the health and education sectors.