Fostering an academic community at Deakin University
Positioned at the entrance to Melbourne’s Deakin University, the Burwood Highway frontage building features academic and high-level research spaces directed towards accommodating the university’s expanded faculty of health.
The building is oriented away from the highway, creating two north-facing courtyards that act as social gathering spaces for the public and university community.
Talk to Sarah Ball about Education and Science
The building form comprises two interlocking shapes that form an ‘l’ configuration. The two parts to the ‘l’ shape are the wing, which presents a gentle convex shape towards the highway over four levels with a silver louvred facade, and the tower, which is an eight-level form clad in striking gold louvres.
Interior spaces are more akin to today’s workplace environments than traditional academic centres. Academic work zones reflect advances in contemporary workplace design, providing a flexible environment with areas for individual work and collaborative team-oriented spaces. A highly energy-efficient building with easy occupant control over the local environment, the building includes underfloor air distribution, active mass cooling, low energy usage, high water efficiency, solar hot water, solar shading, high levels of daylight penetration, rainwater harvesting and cyclist facilities.
2014, World Architecture Festival (WAF), Completed Buildings, Higher Education and Research – Shortlisted
2014, Victorian Premier’s Design Award – Shortlisted (Architecture)
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