Woods Bagot Rethinks Higher Education for the University of Melbourne
In partnership with Lendlease and the University of Melboure, Woods Bagot designed an architectural reflection of the university itself. Named the Carlton Connect Initiative, this masterplan will be a mixed-use precinct where not only university students and staff, but also international business professionals, researchers, and start-ups can come participate in idea exchange. In order to attract the best and brightest for the university, Woods Bagot is pursuing the highest standard of cutting-edge, sustainable design.
Adjacent to the University’s main Parkville campus, five new buildings surround a communal courtyard, or “oculus.” The project is shaped by human behavior, so in addition to housing for over 500 students, the buildings will hold retail, hospitality spaces, a childcare center, and even a science gallery. A “Fab Lab” and “Superfloor” act as collaboration habitats – where human thought processing can begin to manifest into real life breakthroughs.
“Innovation comes from people, the way they interact, the way they collaborate on a common purpose. Therefore, it’s essential that every part of this scheme lives and breathes human-centered design,” Woods Bagot principal and project design lead, Hazel Porter said.
Architects: Woods Bagot
Location: Grattan St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Project Design Lead: Hazel Porter
Design Team: Hazel Porter, Sarah Ball, Alastair Flynn, Harry Charalambous, Wes Baigent, Ali Tehami, Femi Akande, Nirvan Basnet, Krisi Patras, Susannah Xu, Pete McKew, Derek Huynh, Roberto Spadaccino, Mluk Nehme, Peter Miglis, Sara Sidari, Kevin Mitchem, Robert Rosamilia, Lara Viguet, Sophie Blain
Area: 74000.0 m2
Project Year: 2020
News via: Woods Bagot.
Available in: www.archdaily.com/892364. Accessed in: 20/12/2018.
