Wurundjeri
Victorian
The University of Melbourne’s Student Precinct aims to enhance student experience through reconciliation, diversity and connection, with scalability of activity from festival mode to everyday social modes throughout 24,000m2 of new and refurbished buildings and 12,000m2 of new landscape. The first precinct-wide development at the Parkville campus, the project embeds greater recognition of First Nations cultures as a signature project of the University’s Elevate RAP, whilst ensuring that captured student perspectives are infused into its design.
By lowering the original raised plaza back to a new ‘ground’ condition, the landscape-led pedestrian terrain is transformative, creating an inclusive and porous experience that embeds cultural connection at the heart of student experience. Two new 6-star rated buildings dedicated to Arts and Culture and a Student ‘Pavilion’ reside alongside four refurbished heritage assets; sustainably regenerated through new program and careful restoration, embedded in rich landscape linked to indigenous stories, flora and fauna.
The Student Precinct creates a ‘home away from home’ for students on campus. Driven by the voices of students through co-creation, the design team created an outcome where important services are easier to find, spaces are accessible and inclusive, and Indigenous knowledge is recognised and foregrounded. All these elements have created opportunities for students to build a sense of connection and belonging to place, community and to the University by participation in campus life: whether meeting friends for lunch, on stage as part of a theatre show, as members of clubs, or passing by a gig from a balcony.
Lyons with Koning Eizenberg Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Greenaway Architects, Architects EAT, Aspect Studios and Glas Urban, Design Architect
Aspect Studios and Glas Urban, Landscape Consultant
Aspect Urban + Publi, Wayfinding Consultant
Aurecon, ESD Consultant
BCG, Facade Engineer
CHW, AV Consultant
DCWC, Project Manager
Dobbs Doherty, Fire Engineer
GTA Consultants, Traffic Consultant
Irwin Consult/WSP, Structural Engineer
Irwin Consult/WSP, Waste Consultants
Lovell Chen, Heritage Consultant
Lucid, Services Consultant
Marshall Day Acoustics, Acoustic Consultant
McKenzie Group, Building Surveyor
Schuler Shook, Theatre Planner
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.
