Kaurna
South Australia
Once the social heart of the University of Adelaide, the heritage-listed Union House had become largely unused due to competing developments and perceived constraints on adaptation. Revitalisation began with understanding its heritage values, revealing opportunities that shaped the recently completed refurbishment.
The project relocated functions, introduced new student spaces, a function centre, and a restaurant, and reimagined the historic Cloister as a public space. A collaborative approach preserved and reactivated major spaces, with changes confined to back-of-house areas while integrating new services, seismic upgrades, and structural rectifications. Restoring original spatial relationships improved egress and wayfinding. The original material palette was respected, conserved, and complemented by new elements that distinguish old from new while remaining subservient to the architectural context.
The revitalisation has delivered contemporary facilities while strengthening University-community ties. It has also reshaped perspectives on heritage buildings, ensuring their continued relevance and long-term value.
The Union House project by Swanbury Penglase Architects, is an exemplar of adaptive reuse and heritage conservation, breathing new life into the iconic 1975 University of Adelaide student hub.
Despite 50 years of vigorous student occupancy, the pioneering Dickson Platten architecture of red brick, off-form concrete, expressed timberwork and Solomit Strawboard ceilings still resonates, and the project team has excelled in providing innovative and sensitive interventions.
Evidence of the detailed research undertaken to understand the design intent, construction and use of place is clear. Later inappropriate changes are removed, and services carefully resolved to be invisible and not dominate heritage features. Interiors are skilfully executed with compatible materials and references to the original 1975 colour scheme.
Balconies are reinstated as the circulation system for the building, and the iconic Bar has been moved to the ground floor, opening to the cloister and encouraging activation. To the east, the original ‘Escheresque’ bookshop is reimagined as a student study space.
Union House illustrates the benefits of an experienced multidisciplinary team. The project is well considered in program, sensitive in design approach and skilful in problem solving, adapting and conserving an Adelaide architectural icon for future university generations.
The enthusiasm with which the diverse University community has taken ownership of the Union House precinct, is unprecedented. The project has become a benchmark. It stands out not only for the considered design and creative budget and program solutions, but for the intangible lessons that we have learned along the way. The design team were committed to ensuring the University understood the significance of this place and the enormous opportunities associated with taking design direction from the past. As a result, Union House has triggered a critical, positive shift in how State Heritage assets on campus are valued.
Andrew Klenke, Project Architect
Sam Rosenzweig, Project Architect
Sarah Oliver, Project Manager
Felicity Hope, Interior Designer
Cassie Feng, Interior Designer
Gamma Consulting, Structural Engineer
System Solutions, Services Consultant
WSP, Services Consultant
Lucid, Services Consultant
Resonate, Acoustic Consultant
Rider Levett Bucknall, Quantity Surveyor
Arketype, Wayfinding
PT Design, Structural Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
