Deakin University's new Burwood Highway Frontage Building is set to be a world-class educational facility that will create a major impression at the entrance of the University. Designed by Woods Bagot, the new building will define a new urban precinct from within the campus and aligns with the University's aspirations to be a contemporary, friendly and welcoming environment.
"The Burwood Highway Frontage building will create a major impression at the entrance of the University and an arrival point for public, staff and students, all whilst creating a vital link to the rest of the campus," said Woods Bagot Principal Sarah Ball.
On the exterior, an urban response to the Burwood Highway was pivotal to the success of the design; hence a new public courtyard will become the social hub and focal point for the Burwood Highway Frontage Precinct. Unique to this project is that the interior spaces are more akin to today's workplace environments than traditional academic spaces.
"New generation academic workspaces feature strongly. A combination of office and more open-plan work spaces alongside informal and formal meeting spaces allows increased interaction and collaboration," continued Sarah.
All open workspaces have direct access to natural light and support day to day activities. The design also provides task, social and rest spaces, promotes collegiality and connects departments, students and faculty within the building.
"A highly functional and sustainable work of architecture, the building reinforces and extends the landscape nature of the Burwood campus and creates an attractive social and working environment by integrating general teaching, high-level research and administration," Sarah added.