Located at the new heart of the Parkville Campus, the New Student Precinct will be a place for students, staff and the wider community to engage, learn and grow.
It has been designed to facilitate student connection, by enhancing the campus-based experience and fostering a sense of inclusion to enable peers, colleagues and cohorts to forge new relationships, collaborate and innovate.
Easily accessible services and amenities, an environment that supports individual and group learning, a landscape that speaks to our complex and multiple histories, and a focus on engaged communities through arts, culture and music will be hallmarks of the Precinct.
Importantly, it will support students – both digitally and physically when we return to campus – to engage in extra and co-curricular opportunities and activities that will support their creative growth and learning.
The voice of our community has been at the centre of the Project’s design and approach, with over ~15,600 students and staff actively contributing their views, ideas and expertise to inform the planning and design process.
With construction underway, the majority of the New Student Precinct will be completed by the end of 2021 – early 2022.
It's a space for students, designed with students in mind. Students will be able to create the spaces that they want and need. Student Ambassador feedback
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the New Student Precinct vision?
The New Student Precinct is central to delivering the University’s ambition for a world-class campus-based student experience. The Precinct presents a co-located solution that will bring together the services, infrastructure and amenity of the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) including UMSU International, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and key services offered by Academic Services. It will emphasise student engagement, social inclusion and diversity, and will actively deliver the University’s vision for campus spaces and places to work as living laboratories.
Students have told us that the defining element that improves their sense of satisfaction, wellbeing and overall experience is a sense of genuine connection. Their definition of connection is made up of the experiences which enable and facilitate an integrated experience, bringing together learning, living, academic growth and development.
The Vision for student experience which will be delivered through the Precinct is one of easily-accessible services, an environment that supports individual and group learning, a landscape that speaks to our complex and multiple histories, and a focus on engaged communities through arts, culture and music. Importantly, it will give students ‘permission to play’: to engage in extra and co-curricular opportunities that enable learning and creative growth that supports their future careers.
It includes an activated campus environment for student communities to come together around shared experience. Locating creativity at the centre of this community-building agenda, the arts and cultural programming of the Precinct will provide the conditions necessary for social and cultural inclusion and to build a safe student environment including diverse creative place-based practice, performance and events. Acting as a central hub, the Precinct will also support student experience activities to be extended to other parts of the campus and scaled to the University’s other campuses.
In addition to spaces and places, the Precinct will provide the conditions for students to create their own path through the many opportunities that the University provides outside the classroom. A place where students and academics meet as equals, the Precinct will embody a philosophy of inclusion that encourages and enables interaction at all levels and of all groups.
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Why is building on the Precinct continuing despite COVID-19 lockdowns?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, construction has been permitted by state and federal governments. Ongoing work on the New Student Precinct has been supported by the University during this period, who have deemed the Precinct site to be a ‘priority project’. This classification has facilitated the commencement of works on key projects ahead of schedule.
Compliance with the University’s COVIDsafe procedure is enforced at all times on-site. This includes social distancing requirements and a compulsory ‘COVIDSafe Campus’ online training module for all staff. More detail on the University’s response to COVID-19 can be found here.
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Where is it?
The Precinct will be located on the corner of Grattan and Swanston Street, and is defined by Monash Road to the north and the Melbourne School of Engineering Precinct to the west.
The site is at the centre of the University's traditional and new student accommodation hubs, making it an ideal location for our 60,000 students to connect. It will also neighbour the University's innovation precinct, Melbourne Connect, and is conveniently located close to public transport links, including the new Melbourne Metro Rail station on Grattan Street.
To learn more about the Precinct's location, follow this link.
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What will the Precinct deliver?
The New Student Precinct has been designed with students at the heart of its thinking. The Precinct will deliver the co-location of students services, convenient access to public transport, new Arts and Cultural facilities, increased study space and outdoor space, and will deliver on several key University of Melbourne Strategies.
To learn more follow this link.
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Why create a New Student Precinct?
The New Student Precinct will deliver on a range of University-wide commitments and contribute to the University’s broader campus strategy development. The Project’s objectives are situated within the broad ambition of Growing Esteem 2015 – 2020 and the University's new strategy, Advancing Melbourne, to deliver a quality campus-based student experience.
Through ongoing collaboration with the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU), Murrup Barak, Graduate Student Association (GSA), in addition to student representatives across campus, the University is committed to co-creating a New Student Precinct that will accommodate the changing necessities of an evolving student population. This will be ensured by co-locating essential student amenities, providing vibrant arts and cultural programming and significantly enhancing the student experience in the new heart of the Parkville Campus.
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Who designed the Precinct?
The Precinct was designed by a consortium of architects, lead by Lyons Architecture. Each team was responsible for a different aspect of the design, bringing an eclectic and inventive approach to the whole of Precinct design.
To learn more about our design team, follow this link.
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When will it be complete?
The majority of the Precinct construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021 – early 2022.
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What does co-creation mean?
The Project is committed to co-creating the Precinct with students as partners, the approach driven by design thinking methodology. Co-creation requires a commitment from both parties to engage in a real partnership to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes and benefits are achieved. The co-creation of the Precinct will enable students to be part of the governance, design and activation of the space, and to be consulted throughout the life of the Project to ensure their views inform decision-making, governance and the overall design. Since its inception, the project team have conducted multiple co-creation activities and events, engaging over 15,600 students to date.
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Why was there grass growing on the Precinct’s amphitheatre?
Prior to the Precinct build commencing in the first half of 2020, grass was grown on the amphitheatre site. This was part of the Project’s Environmental Management Plan to mitigate the impacts of dust caused by wind blowing through the site. A site with a topsoil that is not seeded with grass can cause issues to the ventilation in adjacent buildings and to passing pedestrian traffic in the site’s vicinity.
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What is the governance structure for the Project?
The New Student Precinct project comprises of three key decision making and advisory bodies: the Steering Committee, Project Control Groups, and various student advisory groups throughout the project's life cycle.
To learn more about the role of each group and to view the list of members, follow this link.
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How will the precinct area demonstrate respect for the land’s traditional owners?
As a signature project of the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan, the Precinct aims to achieve deep cultural engagement by celebrating the multi-faceted aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. In order to facilitate meaningful connections with first nations cultures, it is paramount that the Precinct provides cultural safety for Indigenous students and staff, and disseminates cultural knowledge with the permission and guidance of relevant communities and leaders . On-site, these aims will be realised through initiatives including indigenous-led place-based cultural expressions and interpretive signing which emphasises the centrality of traditional owners’ stories to the land which the Precinct is built on.
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How is the precinct ensuring it is environmentally sustainable?
The Precinct’s co-creation research has demonstrated that students regard climate change and sustainability as highly important issues. To address these concerns and meet the University’s sustainability targets, all buildings on the Precinct site will receive a 5 or 6 Green Star Rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. This means that these buildings are adopting industry best-practice protocols which reach an Australian (5 star) or global (6 star) standard of excellence. In addition to these certifications, Kane Constructions, the project builder, are implementing a variety of sustainable initiatives on-site designed to minimise waste. More information on these initiatives can be found here .
Do you have any questions for the Project Team? Do you want more information on the Precinct? Please email us at student-precinct@unimelb.edu.au.
CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION
The Project has almost completed the 'contract documentation' stage of the project.
Contract Documentation focuses on the finalisation of all elements of design. This consists of conducting thorough reviews of each design element in order to sign off on the blue prints which will instruct the built form of the Precinct (see an illustrated aerial view below). The documents collected throughout the phase will be handed over to the Precinct builders as we enter the next exciting phase of the Precinct development.
For the final designs, please take a look at our Contract Documentation gallery below or click on the names of the Precinct buildings or spaces to learn more about what each will deliver.
- Eastern Resource Centre (ERC) Library
- Student Pavilion
- Arts and Cultural Building
- Frank Tate Building
- Doug McDonell Building and Atrium
- 1888 Building
- Landscape
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The bridging link between the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building -
The welcome ground outside of the new home of Murrup Barak. -
The Student Pavilion -
Study space within the Student Pavilion -
A quiet space within the Rowden White Library in the Student Pavilion -
The Doug McDonell Laneway -
The interior of the Murrup Barak entryway -
An outdoor area of the student pavilion
Contract Documentation Milestones
Contract Documentation milestones include the following:
- Additional reviews of the Precinct’s design conducted to ensure full and thorough design coordination;
- Further Quality Assurance of discrete project elements have been undertaken. These elements include acoustics, materials, landscaping, AV/ITS, informal study spaces and wayfinding;
- Ongoing management of registered significant trees and future significant trees to ensure that landscaping and sustainability is prioritised;
- Campus activations, prototyping of designs and temporary wayfinding conducted to enhance the student experience;
- Development of an operational model to enable a curated student experience in the Precinct from a student’s very first day on campus; and
- Several artworks commissioned, including Indigenous art for installation in the Precinct upon completion.
Why is grass growing on the Precinct's amphitheatre?
Prior to the Precinct build commencing in the first half of 2020, grass is currently growing on the amphitheatre site. This is part of the Project’s Environmental Management Plan to mitigate the impacts of dust caused by wind blowing through the site. A site with a topsoil that is not seeded with grass can cause issues to the ventilation in adjacent buildings and to passing pedestrian traffic in the site’s vicinity.
DETAILED DESIGN
The Project completed the 'detailed design' phase of the Project in mid-2019.
Detailed design focuses on the implementation of architectural, landscape and interior details, including the documentation and drawing that is required for construction. The intricate aspects of the design including colours, fittings, fixtures and cabinetry are all confirmed in this phase.
Some of the latest designs can be viewed below. For a more detailed update on detailed design, visit our Project Stories page.
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The entrance to the Arts and Cultural facilities at the corner of Monash Road. -
The Monash Road entrance to the Arts and Cultural Building, interfacing with the new Student Pavilion. The ground plane of the Precinct has been lowered for equity of access to facilities -
A view of the Arts and Cultural Building at night time -
The undercroft of the new Arts and Cultural Building will provide easy access to the heart of the Precinct -
The outdoor Ampitheatre will have the flexbility to be programmed for a variety of events, performances and activities, including live performance -
The outdoor Ampitheatre will be located adjacent to the Student Pavilion and the Sidney Myser Asia Centre on Swanston Street -
The Frank Tate Building will be restored for student use, with ample outdoor seating around the building -
The student lawn adjacent to the Frank Tate Building. The Precinct will provide green space for student wellbeing
EARLY AND ENABLING WORKS
The Precinct Early and Enabling Works was completed in mid-2019.
Early and Enabling Works refers to the first stage of construction for the Project and is a general term for preparation works that take place prior to the main construction works. This can include demolition and modification works, relocation of infrastructure, services and facilities, removal of existing foundations and other obstructions and preparation works to building facades to ensure buildings are weather-proof, vermin proof and secure throughout construction among others.
As part of these works, the John Smyth and Lot 6 Buildings were demolished to open up the site and improve the interface between the Precinct and Swanston Street.
The Alice Hoy Building was also partly demolished to allow for the construction of a new Arts and Cultural Building. The video to he left shows the demolition of the west wing of the Alice Hoy Building completed as part of these works.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
The Project completed the schematic design phase in October 2018. This design phase builds on the ideas developed in concept design to define and confirm floor plan and facility requirements.
A fly-through of the Precinct schematic design at the 50% complete mark can be viewed below.
CONCEPT DESIGN
The concept design stage was completed in May 2018. This stage involves the architectural and landscape team undertaking detailed discussions with end-users to develop and define the design, determine floor plans and the Precinct facilities.
LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN
Landscape master planning that considers the site and context of existing trees and landscape – including City of Melbourne interfaces such as Swanston Street and Grattan Street – and the need for activated outdoor, retail and green space, was completed in late 2017. Importantly, the landscape master plan also includes Indigenous and sustainable design principles co-created with students as part of the co-creation process.
Some examples of the current landscape designs for the Precinct can be seen below.
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Outdoor space and landscapes will form an integral part of the Precinct, providing areas for students to relax and recharge in the warmer months. -
The Outdoor Amphitheatre looking towards Swanston Street. -
The landscape at Gate 8 Grattan Street will be transformed, creating a sense of arrival and place for the new home of Murrup Barak which will be relocated to Building 170, located to the left of this image. -
The landscape leading from Gate 8, Grattan Street to the entrance of the Eastern Resource Centre. -
The former site of Lot 6 will be transformed into a courtyard with native planting at the 1888 Building.
MASTER PLANNING
An Urban Design Framework, a Feasibility Study and the Early and Enabling Works detailed design were developed in 2016 and 2017.
The aim of the Urban Design Framework was to understand the existing site limitations and to identify opportunities and challenges in upgrading existing Precinct infrastructure and developing new building fabric. The Feasibility Study was conducted to ensure the major intervention posed in the Urban Design Framework of lowering the ground plane was feasible. Both pieces of work were instrumental in informing the design of the Early and Enabling Works detailed design.
There is a space for everyone. If you need to relax and disconnect, there will be a space for that. If you want to socialise and have fun, you can find a space for that too. Nobody is in control of what you do in those spaces. Student response to the co-creation process
Co-creation
Co-creation is the cornerstone of the Project, with thousands of students actively contributing their views, ideas and expertise to the planning and design process. Co-creation encourages a more active involvement from key stakeholders to achieve the desired outcome directly influenced by the end-users.
Activation
Inviting students to engage in creative and entrepreneurial endeavours, or ‘activations’, to seed and test ideas prior to the Precinct’s completion is a key aspect of the Project, encouraging students and the wider University to connect and contribute to the space.
Teaching and Learning
The Project is committed to providing students with practical experience and exposure to its core activities through a dynamic program of real-world teaching and learning opportunities integrated into coursework.
Sustainability
Sustainability in design, construction and student-led activations is a core commitment of the Project, aligned with the University's Sustainability Plan 2017 - 2020.
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP3)
As a signature project to the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP 3), the Project Team are committed to creating opportunities for Indigenous students and staff to contribute to the design, creation and activation of the Precinct.
Inclusivity
The Precinct Project aims to create a space that caters for a diverse student and staff population. The Precinct will be engaging with students and staff through the design process to ensure equity, inclusivity and access to indoor and outdoor spaces are integrated into the Precinct design.
Our Campus in the 21st Century
The Our Campus in the 21st Century (OC21) framework, is the planning and communication tool that supports and enables University of Melbourne projects, initiatives and partnerships to evolve and excel. The New Student Precinct Project aligns with the OC21 Framework.
The Precinct should be a place for all student needs. This goes beyond student services... All of the right things are provided... and it’s a space where you can take part in varied activities. Student response to the co-creation process
All our updates
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The Fair Food UniCycle Turns One!
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Open Day 2018
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A Look Behind the Hoarding - June to July 2018
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Concept Design Renders
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Outdoor Gallery Exhibition Opening - National Reconciliation Week 2018
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New Student Precinct Design Response Presentation
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Mon-Pop Orientation-Week
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Mon-Pop Build
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New Student Precinct Moments 2017
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Open Morning Tea
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The Growroom Build
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Growroom and Fair Food UniCycle
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Outdoor Gallery
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Our Students
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Student Ambassador Induction Meeting
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Short Cut with Marley
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November 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well and the site is running at 100% capacity again in line with COVID-19 government guidelines.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane and the southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) are ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building sites are progressing well. Precast panels are presently being erected.
- The 1888 Building Refurbishment is progressing well and is scheduled for completion in early December.
- Formwork construction on the ERC is currently underway.
- Reinforcement in the Doug McDonell building is ongoing.
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October 2020 Update
- With recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions the site is now running at an increased capacity, however not yet back to 100% in line with government guidelines.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane and the southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) are ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
- Drilling has commenced in the Doug McDonell building to provide access for reinforcement works.
- Construction of the ERC's new formwork structure is underway.
- Works have commenced in the basement plant rooms of both the ERC Building and Doug McDonell Building.
- Construction on the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion is progressing well, with precast panels for these buildings' superstructures being delivered and installed in October 2020.
Above: Concrete being poured on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building sites.
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September 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well, however due to Covid-19 Stage 4 Lockdown Restrictions the site is running at limited capacity
- Works on the 1888 Building's West Courtyard Façade are nearing completion.
- Structural demolition of the ERC Atrium is ongoing.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane and the southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) are ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
Above: Works on the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion sites.
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August 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well, however site capacity has been limited this month due to Covid-19 Stage 4 Lockdown Restrictions.
- Structural demolition of the ERC Atrium is ongoing.
- The 1888 Building's West Courtyard façade is having internal steel structures installed as a component of its redevelopment.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane and the southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) are ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
Above: Works on the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion including pouring of the ground slab.
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July 2020 Update
- Construction on the new Arts and Cultural Building on Monash Road has commenced with bulk-out, sub-structure and piling works underway.
- Works on the ERC are ongoing. The soft strip-out of the atrium is complete and structural demolition of the area has commenced.
- Demolition in the west courtyard of the 1888 Building is ongoing.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane and the southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) are ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
Above: Works on the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion.
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June 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- Structural demolition has continued within the Alice Hoy Building. Concrete from the demolition will be used in road surfacing by VicRoads.
- Internal demolition has continued within the 1888 Building. Melamine desks and bookcases from the building were recycled into workstations for the refurbishment of the building by Winya, a Melbourne-based indigenous furniture company.
- The Eastern Resource Centre (ERC Library) has been isolated from essential services and internal demolition has commenced.
- The southern footpath on Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) has been closed to allow for works to continue on the Alice Hoy site.
- Please find the 2 July 2020 Kane Constructions Interface Report here to view a construction lookahead.
Above: Levelling of the NSP site's ground plane.
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May 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- The 1888 Building refurbishment has commenced with the demolition of internal structures and the western courtyard.
- The demolition of the Alice Hoy Building continues to progress well. Internal strip outs have been completed, and structural demolition is ongoing. Bricks salvaged in the demolition process will be repurposed as pavers in the Student Pavilion build commencing June 2020.
- Internal scaffolding and hoarding were successfully installed in the Alice Hoy Building to protect the Sidney Myer Asia Centre during demolition works.
- The Eastern Resource Centre (ERC) refurbishment commenced on 25 May 2020, two months ahead of schedule. Kane Constructions took possession of the building on 27 May 2020.
- Porter’s Lane will be closed to pedestrians from south of ERC to north of the Doug McDonell loading bay until 3 August 2020 to allow for ERC refurbishment works.
- Please find the 29 May 2020 Kane Constructions Interface Report here to view a construction lookahead
Above: Removal of debris from the demolition of the Alice Hoy Building.
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April 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- Scaffolding has been installed along the north facade of the Alice Hoy Building.
- The southern footpath along Monash Road will remain closed until the campus reopens.
- Trees and vegetation north of the Alice Hoy Building that are not significant or heritage-listed have been removed as part of the New Student Precinct's Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion builds.
- Access to the Alice Hoy Building and Sidney Myer Asia Centre's northern disabled entrance is currently restricted, however, access is provided via Sidney Myer Asia Centre's main entrance access from Swanston Street.
- Kane have also commenced preparations to install internal scaffold and hoardings in the Alice Hoy.
- Please find the 25 March 2020 Kane Construction's Interface Report here to view a construction lookahead.
Above: Internal demolition of the Alice Hoy Building.
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March 2020 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- Kane have installed a street light on Stationary Lane to assist with argon deliveries to Chemical Engineering 1 (BN165)
- Kane have now taken partial possession of level 1 and 2 of the Alice Hoy Building. There will no longer be access to teaching spaces, lifts or amenities on these levels. Kane will provide an escort for persons with special needs to use the lift or amenities on a call-to-escort basis, appropriate signage will be posted. All other occupants will be encouraged to use the stairs. Emergency evacuation paths will be maintained at all times. Outside Kane working hours, the central corridor will remain freely accessible to lift and amenities.
- A bamboo requiring removal on site was taken to Melbourne Zoo as a treat for the elephants (see image below).
- 'Neighbours Meetings' have been delayed until students and staff return to the Parkville Campus.
- Please find the 25 March 2020 Kane Construction's Interface Report here to view a construction lookahead.