We’ve worked on more than 20 projects with James Cook University, totalling a value of $85M+ and ranging from building upgrades and office accommodation to a new science building, the Australian Tropical Forest Institute, lecture theatres and the Daintree Rainforest Observatory.

Covering an area of 3100m² the $10M Australian Tropical Sustainable Future Institute at JCU’s Smithfield Campus comprises a range of specialised laboratories, a commercial research centre, and conference facilities. Additional features include break out areas, office accommodation, cold rooms, lifts and dumb waiter, compactus room with specific climate control, explosion-proof spirit storage room, and commercial kitchens. The building also incorporates a secondary access point, linked from an adjacent building, which is made up of precast concrete, cantilevered across supporting columns and heads.

Hutchinson Builders was proud to build JCU’s award winning Science Building, which included 4500m² of biology, chemistry and alcohol labs as well as staff and administration offices, plant rooms and walkways. Building services include a two-storey lift, chilled water air-conditioning, extraction hoods over ovens, 24 fume cupboards, reverse osmosis pure water for experiments and gas for Bunsen burners.

In 2020 Hutchies was awarded JCU's new Townsville Student Accommodation project. 

A selection of our JCU projects

Tropical Sustainable Future Complex	Lecture Theatre Building
Sterilisation Upgrade	QLD Tropical Health Alliance
Proserpine Rural Dental Clinic	Mosquito Research Facility
Thursday Island Rural Dental Clinic	Australian Tropical Forest Institute
Daintree Rainforest Observatory	Science Building E1
Mareeba Dental Clinic	Anton Breinl Centre
Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine	Townsville Student Accommodation

Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Thursday Island

2019 AIA QLD State Awards Award for Educational Architecture (Wilson Architects and Clarke and Prince Architects, Architects in Association)

2019 AIA QLD State Awards Commendation for Sustainable Architecture (Wilson Architects and Clarke and Prince Architects, Architects in Association)

2019 AIA Awards Far North Queensland Regional Commendation for Educational Architecture (Wilson Architects and Clarke and Prince Architects, Architects in Association)

Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Cairns

2018 QMBA Awards Far North Queensland Education Facility over $10M

Lecture Theatre Building

2013 QMBA Awards Far North Queensland Health & Education Facility up to $5M

Off the back of our extensive experience building more than 6,000 student accommodation beds across Australia, Hutchies has been awarded the construction of James Cook University’s brand-new purpose-built student accommodation. The building will be located on JCU’s Townsville campus, adjacent to the future Technology Innovation Complex.

Hutchies has had a long and successful relationship with JCU, having worked together since the early 1990s. We’ve built 20 of their projects across North and Far North Queensland, including Thursday Island and Cape Tribulation. Everything from small refurbishments through to major complex PC3 laboratories. JCU’s Townsville Student Accommodation project reinforces the amazing work we’ve delivered together over all these years.

When complete, the seven-story complex will be home to more than 400 students in contemporary and affordable accommodation. The design includes study bedrooms in group share configurations, ensuited study & accessible rooms, high quality communal facilities, and a centralised, self-catered master chef kitchen and dining space. The project is targeting a LEED Gold sustainability rating.

More than 150 construction jobs are expected to be secured to build the 10,000m² project. Hutchies’ local Townsville office, established more than 30 years ago, is delivering the project using 85% local subcontractors and suppliers. We’re also targeting a 4% Indigenous participation rate on the project to boost training and employment opportunities for local First Australians looking to secure a meaningful career in the construction industry.

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