Kangan Batman TAFE – Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE)

Hours Open
10am - 5pm (last tour at 3pm, general access still available)

Address
1 Batmans Hill Drive, Docklands

Architects
Lyons

Year Built
2005 - ongoing

Building Type
Education

What is Open
Welding, panel beating and spray painting workshops and other classrooms.

Tour Frequency
Hourly tours from 11am to 3pm

Tram Stop
Stop D5: The Goods Shed and Docklands on routes 48, 70 and City Circle

Description
The Kangan Batman Automotive Centre of Excellence is being constructed in four stages from 2005 to 2010. The ACE will consolidate all of Kangan Batman TAFE's automotive training on one site. Together with new state-of-the-art technology and equipment, it is a unique centre of automotive learning, research and development and is well-positioned to become the largest and most advanced automotive training facility in the Southern Hemisphere. The ACE utilises the latest technology and equipment to obtain excellent training facilities in a compact space. The Docklands site formerly contained a mix of buildings utilised by the Port of Melbourne transport and cargo operations. The site is in close proximity to the heritage-listed Queen's Warehouse, built in 1890.

Significance
The Stage One building has achieved a 5 star energy rating and includes major innovative sustainable and environmental design principles and components. The clever design of the ACE will ensure that it only consumes half of the average energy consumption of a typical Melbourne office building, which should reduce greenhouse pollution by 103 tonnes per year - the equivalent to planting 155 trees annually.

What’s Open?
Welding, panel beating and spray painting workshops and other classrooms.