The COVID-19 pandemic and the after-effects have presented unparalleled challenges to both the construction and education sectors.
Curtin University has successfully navigated this disruption to deliver on its commitment to provide students, staff and the wider community with two hubs of innovation and collaboration at its Bentley campus- its new Exchange precinct and recreated iconic library.
As a leading provider of furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) solutions, Castledex has also overcome pandemic-induced supply chain issues to help Curtin fulfil this vision. Castledex's track record of excellence is evidenced by the completion of three major FF&E projects for Curtin University in Western Australia over the past three years. The company's expertise in helping clients to deliver exceptional learning and living experiences for students is showcased in its work on the TL Robertson Library project, Navitas Curtin College, and the Curtin Exchange Precinct.
Castledex General Manager Ben Martin said “We are fortunate to have been able to deliver three world class projects that demonstrated our ability to circumnavigate difficult circumstances experienced during the pandemic.”
Managing Director Bruce Dewar said “Managing supply chains was vital in ensuring completion of these complex FF&E fit-out.”
TL Robertson Library
One of the significant undertakings for Castledex was the TL Robertson Library project, which spanned three and a half years from concept to completion. The company worked directly with Curtin University, architect Hames Sharley, and builder Lendlease, offering a single-source solution for all aspects of FF&E. Working closely with Hames Sharley for selections and finishes to achieve their incredibly detailed and resplendent design, Castledex was then engaged by Lendlease to work as the FF&E Head Contractor, responsible for managing multiple other companies and subcontractors to ensure we delivered the project on time for its re-opening. Castledex worked with each to ensure that budget was hit but the original design intent was honoured and realised.
Castledex's work on the state-of-the-art compactus on Level 2 allowed the client to move the recallable book collection for ease of access during the renovation of the rest of the library. The compactus is home to over 300,000 books and has freed up significant space on Level 3. Castledex also managed seven other furniture companies to deliver a seamless fit-out across six floors and 17,000m2 of floor space. The result is a learning and research hub at the heart of the university campus, complementing the building's iconic brutalist architecture while facilitating an experience of informal learning, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
Navitas Curtin College
Castledex partnered with Spectrum West to provide a turn-key FF&E solution for Navitas Curtin College, a project that included over 2,000 items of commercial furniture and storage, white goods, fixtures, joinery seating, and acoustic wall features. Castledex worked with Spectrum West to assist with delivering value during the COVID pandemic, whilst still meeting client's expectations and design intent while controlling costs in a volatile market. Castledex allocated multiple installation teams across four floors to ensure adherence to the six-week program. The result is a modern, student-focused learning environment that sets the benchmark within the university sector in WA.
Curtin Exchange Precinct
Curtin Exchange is the university's first dedicated industry-connected innovation precinct. Probuild engaged Castledex to provide a $2.5 million turn-key single-source approach to FF&E procurement. This included managing an extensive sample review process, programming just-in-time delivery for over 15,000 items, and planning and undertaking the procurement, storage, logistics, installation, and commissioning of all items within the halls of residence, hotel, and serviced apartments.
Castledex provided beds, mattresses, task chairs, soft seating, dining tables and chairs, pedestals, room accessories, shelving, whiteboards, outdoor furniture, rugs, safes, and loose joinery such as bedside tables, TV units, and credenzas. Castledex was uniquely placed within the WA market to provide a single-source solution, managing multiple supply chains and logistic challenges, which included investing in over 1,200m2 of additional storage capacity in Osborne Park.
Castledex's ability to undertake large volume furniture and joinery fit-outs over an extended period, delivering all three Curtin University projects to program and budget, demonstrates its capacity to provide reliable, high-quality solutions. The company's turn-key approach allowed for all contingencies during the height of the pandemic, managing multiple supply chains and logistic challenges. Of particular note is their success in helping deliver solutions with all stakeholders involved with the extensive project from the builder, designer, operators and facilities management.
Castledex's success in delivering FF&E solutions for Curtin University highlights its expertise in providing high-quality, tailored solutions that meet the needs of modern educational institutions.
