About
The ACT Government has asked the AIE to develop a Future Intentions Plan (FIP) for the site. AIE will undertake a community engagement process regarding the proposed development before submitting the plan to the ACT Government for approval.
AIE will also consult with the National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP) to incorporate their advice.
A bit of history
In case you have not met us before, we are a longstanding part of the Watson neighbourhood! AIE is the world’s first non-profit specialist games and film educator. We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.
We have been in the old former Watson high school site on the corner of Windeyer St and Phillip Avenue for over 20 years. The non-profit AIE was founded here at this location in Watson and with your support, we would like to create a newly invigorated, purposeful, and contemporary Campus that is connected to the local community and environment.
We first began considering options for future growth in Canberra back in 2011. We submitted our initial proposal to the ACT government in 2014 and several subsequent proposals to provide additional data.
In 2018 the ACT Government undertook community consultation regarding possible future site uses. Later that year, it was announced that The territory decided to:
- Retain responsibility for community green space on the site
- Demolish and remediate the existing buildings on the site due to residual asbestos contamination
- Enter into negotiations for a Direct Sale with the AIE
In August 2020, AIE and the ACT Government reached agreement on the terms of a direct sale. As a requirement of the terms of sale, AIE will now consult with the community and the National Capital Design Review panel and develop a Future Intentions Plan for approval by the Territory.
What are we aiming for?
Watch our Founder’s vision for the site.
Some masterplan goals to Kick-start the conversation
AIE’s essential facility requirements:
- Include the following key elements:
- AIE headquarters and administration offices.
- AIE and AIE Institute teaching facilities.
- Industry partner / Work Integrated Learning.
- Student production halls, workshops, and facilities.
- School of Cinematic Arts and School of Business.
- Student accommodation.
- To be consistent with the business case presented to the ACT Government.
AIE’s key design values
- To incorporate the essential facility requirements.
- To meet complex games and film industry production requirements.
- To make best available use of the combined Block A and Block B sites to ensure a cohesive and functional educational campus.
- To retain trees and re-plant where that cannot be achieved.
- To plan for sufficient parking and vehicle movement.
- To focus on active travel with allowances made for end-of-trip facilities and bike parking.
- To maintain safe pedestrian access through the site.
- To create welcoming spaces where the education community, student residences and locals can mix.
- To have seamless integration with the open green space that is managed by TCSS.
- To fund the replacement of the existing tennis courts on the open green space that TCSS will maintain.
Draft Campus Master Plan
VIEW AIE'S FUTURE INTENTIONS PLAN
COMPLETE OUR SURVEY (This survey is now CLOSED - thank you for your feedback!)
Frequently Asked Questions
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