Design firm Jasmax have been appointed by the University of Waikato to design their Tauranga campus in the city's central business district.

One of New Zealand's largest and longest-established architectural and design practices, with offices in Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Jasmax says they plan to bring their national expertise and local knowledge to the project.

The Grafton campus, as designed by Jasmax. Photo: Supplied.

They are also aiming to produce a solution that has strong educational and community relevance for both the region and the University.

The university is leading the project on behalf of the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership, with the Durham Street campus expected to be open by 2020.

Jasmax has experience in designing tertiary education buildings and master-planning campuses, including delivering the multi-award winning AUT Sir Paul Reeves Building and the redeveloped Grafton Campus for the University of Auckland.

'This tertiary campus is more than a learning space in the Bay of Plenty region,” says University of Waikato Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alister Jones.

'It's a focal point for the community and a space that encourages people to come and see what the university and its partners are doing and how that impacts on their lives,”

Jasmax say they are proud to have been chosen to design the Tauranga campus, says the company's Principal Neil Martin.

'Jasmax is excited to contribute to the vibrancy of the Bay of Plenty, as it continues to grow,” says Neil.

'We look forward to working with the university, and the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Partnership, to enhance its offering and contribution to the region.”

They plan to meet with some of the major stakeholders in the region before Christmas to start gathering ideas for the design.

Concepts will be created in the coming months, with approval expected around October 2016. A year or so of detailed planning and consent work will follow, with construction expected to begin in early 2018.

The new campus will be designed to provide a high-tech university environment with flexible, innovative space for teaching and learning, and collaborations with local and regional industries and businesses.