Pioneering building for energy research

The Sir Samuel Griffith Centre is essentially a social research project into sustainability brought to life by BESIX Watpac. Located at Griffith University's Nathan campus, the six-storey building is the world's first large scale building that incorporates solar energy while utilising low pressure hydrogen to store this energy. This model plays an important role in exploring diverse and reliable energy sources and solutions that can be applied to 'off-grid' communities as well as in urban settings.

Revolutionary

We collaborated with leading solar panel suppliers to develop a solar panel array and energy production scheme that incorporates photovoltaic panels that generate their own power supply. This is supplemented by hydrogen power and battery back-up systems that store the energy for use, allowing the building to run almost exclusively off-grid. Our ability to deliver this highly complex building far exceeded our client's expectations. 

Sustainability

Approximately 30 per cent of the building has been constructed from recycled material and features natural ventilation, grey water recycling and advanced water collection. It has 100 offices and multi-purpose lecture facilities for 200 students. The building accommodates key environmental and sustainability research departments.