JCU’s innovative engineering building receives global award

James Cook University’s landmark Engineering and Innovation Place building has been named in the World’s Most Beautiful Campuses List 2025 in the prestigious Prix Versailles awards.

The Prix Versailles – the world architecture and design award announced each year at UNESCO – recognises contemporary projects that leave extraordinary imprints on their living environments. The award criteria include the innovativeness, creativity, reflection of local heritage, and ecological efficiency of each project.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said the EIP represented the next generation of learning environments.

"We are immensely proud that our Engineering and Innovation Place, developed in conjunction with Kirk Studio, has been recognized in the Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Campus 2025 list.

“This accolade highlights our commitment to creating sustainable and environmentally responsive spaces on campus designed to support innovation and collaboration," said Professor Biggs.

Kirk Studio architects designed the $100m state-of-the-art building. Director, Richard Kirk said the EIP sets a new benchmark for sustainable and resilient architecture in the tropics.

He said the building redefines tropical architecture with a dramatic parasol roof providing climatic protection while allowing full façade transparency, avoiding the need for costly conventional screening.

In addition to being amongst the World’s Most Beautiful Campuses 2025, Engineering and Innovation Place is now eligible to compete for one of the three 2025 World Titles – Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior.

The announcement will be made in December 2025.