The Student Precinct Project is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project for the University of Melbourne – one that will have a transformative impact on the student experience for decades to come.
The project is one of the biggest investments the University has made in its iconic Parkville campus to date, and signals the University’s commitment to delivering a world-class, campus-based experience for all students.
The Student Precinct Project is located in the heart of the Parkville campus, on the corner of Grattan and Swanston Streets, and will provide expansive new indoor and outdoor spaces for students to come together, learn and connect.
It’s the first fully co-created major project in the University’s 169-year history. This means that the voice of the University community has been at the centre of the project’s design and development, with more than 20,000 students and staff actively contributing their views, ideas and expertise to inform the planning and design process.
The project encompasses two new and five fully refurbished buildings, as well as a significant increase in outdoor landscaped areas.
Delivering the co-location of student services, convenient access to public transport, new arts and cultural facilities, and enhanced study and recreation spaces, the Project is on track to be completed by the end of 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 Student Precinct Project vision?
The Student Precinct Project is central to delivering the University’s ambition for a world-class campus-based student experience. The Project 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 site 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 site will embody a philosophy of inclusion that encourages and enables interaction at all levels and of all groups.
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Where is it?
The site is 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. -
What will the Student Precinct project deliver?
The Student Precinct Project has been designed with students at the heart of its thinking. It 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 space for students?
The Student Precinct Project 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 space 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 Project's buildings and spaces?
The Student Precinct Project was designed by a consortium of architects led 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 late 2022
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What does co-creation mean?
The Project is committed to co-creating the site 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 Project 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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What is the governance structure for the project?
The Student Precinct Project comprises 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 Student Precinct project area demonstrate respect for the land’s traditional owners?
As a signature project of the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan, the Project 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 completed spaces provide 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 Project is built on.
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How is the University ensuring the Student Precinct project is environmentally sustainable?
The Project'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 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. To learn more about these initiatives, follow this link.
Do you have any questions for the Project Team? Do you want more information on the Project? 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
- Building 189
- Building 168 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.
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 below shows the demolition of the west wing of the Alice Hoy Building completed as part of these works.
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
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.
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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Celebrating the Arts and Cultural Building
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Arts and Cultural Building
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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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New Student Precinct at the University of Melbourne
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Student Precinct flyover at the University of Melbourne
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New Student Precinct Design Process
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Micro-climate Research
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Comment Walls
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Orientation Week Co-creation 2017
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Rachel Withers on the Project
2022 Updates
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June 2022 Update
- The Arts and Cultural Building reached practical completion on Wednesday 22 June 2022 and is set to open to the University community at the beginning of Semester 2 2022. The building will host an array of retail, student, and event spaces, focused on creating a vibrant cultural hub for students in the Precinct. Two theatres, the Union and the Guild, will call the building home as well as the new George Paton Gallery, Arts Lab and two large rehearsal and event rooms.
- The development and refurbishment of Building 189 and Building 168 is still underway and is expected to be completed before the end of 2022.
Above: The exterior of the Arts and Cultural Building with finished façade.
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February 2022 Update
- In Semester 1 2022 the Student Pavilion opened, welcoming students and staff back to campus and marking the opening of the first new building as part of the Student Precinct Project.
- Spread over four levels the Student Pavilion boasts a number of spaces for study, dining, and socialising, as well as housing the relocated UMSU Rowden White Library.
- The open rooftop terrace features an Indigenous kitchen garden and an impressive student kitchen that doubles as a bookable event space, opening out to sweeping campus views.
- The Student Pavilion prioritises sustainability, from food and landscapes to energy consumption and campus operations. This 6 Star Green Star rated building fosters an environment in which the campus community can connect and learn about sustainability.
- Learn more about the Student Pavilion here.
Above: The newly completed Student Pavilion.
2021 Updates
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September 2021 Update
- Works on the Student Precinct site have been severely disrupted due to the shutdown of Victoria’s construction industry. Up until the industry’s closure on 20 September 2021, the Student Precinct project was operating at 25% workforce capacity onsite.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Buildings are progressing well. These two buildings will be prioritised for completion over other ongoing builds upon the reopening of the construction industry.
- Gantry was removed from the outside of the Student Pavilion. Façade installation is underway.
- Rectification works on the ERC Library’s southern façade and entry door have been complete.
- Closure of Porters Lane is ongoing to facilitate site access.
Above: Works on the bridge between the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion
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August 2021 Update
- Throughout Victoria’s most recent lockdown the Student Precinct site has remained open as an essential industry, however, workforce capacity on site has been limited to 25%. As a result of the workforce capacity limit there will be some delays in delivering the Precinct’s remaining buildings.
- Landscaping south of ERC Library was completed in early August 2021. The ERC Library will now officially re-open once government restrictions allow for staff and students to return to campus.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Buildings are ongoing. A significant amount of scaffold from the Monash Road side of these buildings was removed this month. The closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue.
- Structural steel fit out in the Doug McDonnell Building is progressing well.
- The 1888 Building eastern courtyard sewer works have now been completed.
- Strip out and demolition within the Frank Tate Building is ongoing.
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July 2021 Update
- The ERC Library building has reached practical completion and will reopen to students in the coming weeks, pending the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Learn more about the ERC Library here.
- Works on the Arts and Cultural Building and Student Pavilion are progressing well. Installation of the Arts and Cultural Building’s glass façade has commenced. Superstructure works, including the installation of precast panels and structural steel continue on the Student Pavilion
- The closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the Alice Hoy Building site.
- Demolition and soft stripping within the Doug McDonell Building is now complete. Structural steel and concrete are now being installed in the atrium area of the building.
- Refurbishment works on the Frank Tate Building have now commenced with demolition and hazardous material removal currently underway.
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June 2021 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and the Alice Hoy Building sites.
- Works on the Arts & Cultural Building and Student Pavilion are ongoing. Please view the images and time lapse below to see recent progress on these buildings.
- The ERC is scheduled for completion in mid-July. Landscaping works are currently underway around the site. You can find more information on the ERC here.
- Demolition and soft stripping in the Doug McDonell Building is progressing well. As a result of these works, access to the 757 Swanston st, 1888 and Sydney Myer Asia Centre Buildings may be intermittently restricted.
- Closures of Monash Road occurred intermittently throughout the month to facilitate the movement of plant and equipment. Pedestrian and bicycle access on the road was maintained throughout these closures.
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May 2021 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- A third crane has been installed on site. It will be used to move structural steel into the Doug McDonell Building atrium.
- Demolition and soft stripping in the Doug McDonell Building is progressing well. As a result of these works, access to the 757 Swanston st, 1888 and Sydney Myer Asia Centre Buildings may be intermittently restricted until mid-June.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and the Alice Hoy Building sites.
- Site mobilisation works on the Engineering Yard are now complete.
- Due to the installation of precast panels along Monash Road-facing buildings, access to the Old Geology South building from Monash Road may be restricted through until mid-June 2021.
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April 2021 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- The 1888 Building is now open to students. Feature tiling in bathrooms is ongoing throughout the building and will be complete by late April.
- Demolition and soft stripping of the Doug McDonell building is progressing well. Minor hoarding modifications have been made on the eastern side of the building to ensure pedestrian safety during demolition works.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and the Alice Hoy sites. Pedestrians should be aware of intermittent closure of Monash Road to allow access for construction vehicles.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Buildings are ongoing. Structural concrete and steel are currently being installed.
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March 2021 Update
- The project is progressing well and remains on track.
- The 1888 Building is now open to students. Feature tiling in bathrooms is ongoing throughout the building and will be complete by late April.
- Demolition and soft stripping of the Doug McDonell building is progressing well. Minor hoarding modifications have been made on the eastern side of the building to ensure pedestrian safety during demolition works.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and the Alice Hoy sites. Pedestrians should be aware of intermittent closure of Monash Road to allow access for construction vehicles.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural buildings are ongoing. Structural concrete and steel are currently being installed.
Above: Steel superstructure installation on the Arts and Cultural Building.
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February 2021 Update
- A gantry has been erected on the southern footpath along Monash Road (Sidney Myer Asia Centre side) to facilitate pedestrian access through the site in line with the commencement of the academic year.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and the Alice Hoy sites.
- Transition to operations activities continue to progress well for the 1888 Building with the building scheduled to open to students in March 2021.
- Demolition of the Doug McDonell Building is progressing well. Existing internal fit outs in the eastern side of the building are currently being removed and sorted for recycling.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural buildings are ongoing. Structural concrete columns and walls are in the process of being erected.
- The ERC fit out continues to progress well with feature ceilings and walls currently being installed.
Above: Progress on the Arts and Cultural Building.
Above: Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts & Cultural Building.
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January 2021 Update
- Decant of the Doug McDonell Building has now been completed and Kane Constructions took possession of the building in mid-January 2021. Demolition and soft stripping of the building have now commenced.
- Transition to operations activities continue to progress well for 1888 Building with the building on track to open to students from Monday 15 February 2021.
- The ERC fit out continues to progress well. A concrete slab on the ground floor has been poured and windows are being installed.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building sites are progressing well. Installation of the buildings’ superstructures are 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: An aerial view of the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building.
Above: Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts & Cultural Building.
2020 Updates
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December 2020 Update
- Practical completion of the 1888 building was delivered by Kane Constructions several weeks ahead of schedule. The University has commenced the relocation of services back into the building. Students are scheduled to have access from mid-February 2021.
- Works on the Student Pavilion and Arts and Cultural Building sites are progressing well with the superstructures of each building currently being erected.
- ERC construction activities, including the pouring of a concrete slab in the basement area, are progressing well.
- A steel gantry around the NSP site from Monash Road along Porters Lane and around the Doug McDonell walkway have been erected. This has necessitated closure of the southern Monash Road footpath. This closure will remain in place until late February 2021.
- Closure of Porter’s Lane is ongoing to allow for works to continue on the ERC and Alice Hoy sites respectively.
Above: Concrete formwork being erected on the New Student Precinct Site.
Above: A glass brick feature wall in the 1888 Building. -
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.