Raising the benchmark for health training infrastructure in Northern Australia.

The Centre for Better Health Futures at Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Casuarina Campus is a landmark facility supporting the Territory’s first medical program and upgraded facilities for nursing, paramedicine, and allied health training.

SHAPE delivered the full construction and fitout scope, from bulk earthworks and underground services to external amenities and landscaping. The facility comprises two interconnected three-storey buildings housing hospital and clinical simulation environments, immersive virtual reality technology, online teaching spaces with advanced AV systems, an ambulance bay, consultation and therapy rooms, student study areas, specialist facilities and an adult changing facility.

The project incorporated complex structural solutions including suspended and post-tensioned slabs, cantilevered stairs and three levels of screened awnings. A key feature was the forty-nine metre Spantec roof, rolled and craned into place on site, which reduced material use and made the installation more efficient.

Design changes during construction added significant scope, including revised fire engineering, accessibility upgrades and extra teaching spaces on level three. With the completion date set for teaching to commence in Semester 2, SHAPE re-sequenced works to meet occupancy requirements, while continuing minor variation works post-handover in consultation with users to minimise disruption.

Early engagement with subcontractors helped manage labour market constraints, while careful staging resolved site access limitations and kept campus operations running throughout.

Through strong collaboration with CDU and our project partners, SHAPE successfully delivered a highly technical and future-ready teaching environment on time, creating a new benchmark for health education in the Northern Territory.