A campus framework that fosters scientific innovation, professional collaboration, and social creativity in Tairāwhiti.
Urbanismplus’ unique design purposely juxtaposes the working environments of professionals from the science, health, education, and business sectors and provides many indoor and outdoor meeting places to encourage creative exchanges and collaboration. At its heart are a garden and café to welcome the public, and conference rooms to entice workers away from their offices. The framework strikes a balance between certainty and flexibility. There are fixed elements that manifest the cultural and amenity values, while the spatial arrangement is flexible enough to meet future needs as they evolve.
The campus is centred around Mātai, a fast-growing world-class imaging and medical research entity, which is set to expand into neuroscience, bioengineering, molecular imaging, animal health and primary care research. Their brain and other imaging work is already delivering valuable insights into a wide range of issues, such as concussions, dementia, methamphetamine addiction, cerebral palsy, prostate cancer etc. Mātai has already created over 50 local jobs, undertaken 27 research projects, is supporting 12 PhD students and 51 local internships, and has received 18 awards. The campus will allow them to continue to:
- Build on their international research partnerships with world-class scientists.
- Act as the National Imaging and Research Centre that advances cutting-edge medical research and development and support new knowledge of Te Ao Māori practice.
- Boost the regional economy by increasing local jobs, attracting skilled and knowledgeable people, strengthening regional leadership, and empowering Tairāwhiti youth with new career pathways.
- Strengthen local communities by improving health services and STEM education.
The campus development is a collaborative effort between Mātai, Trust Tairāwhiti and Gisborne Holdings Ltd who intend to build accommodation for visiting researchers as well as transitional housing for employees new to Gisborne.