Kaurna
South Australia
Once the social heart of the University of Adelaide, the heritage-listed Union House had fallen into disuse 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 an active public space at its core. A collaborative approach reactivated major spaces, while seamlessly integrating new services, seismic upgrades, and structural rectifications. Restoring original spatial relationships enhanced accessibility, egress, and wayfinding. The original material palette was respected, conserved, and complemented by new elements that clearly distinguish old from new while remaining subservient to the architectural context.
This revitalisation has delivered contemporary facilities while strengthening connections between the University and the wider community. It has also reshaped perspectives on heritage buildings, reinforcing their enduring relevance and long-term value.
As an exemplar heritage project of its kind, Union House deftly handles the deep cultural aspects of the site amongst the university grounds. The project evocatively reveals a renewed spirit of place, whilst also sensitively restoring time-honoured craft techniques, such as Solomit Strawboard ceiling panels.
The jury was particularly impressed with the reimagining of the upper restaurant areas and renovated function spaces, which provide a model for future heritage works, as well as a proof-of-concept precedent that demonstrates the value of investing in such important building assets.
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