| Institution | Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia |
| Architect | Cox Architecture |
| Opening Date | January 2015 |
Context
Pre-occupancy evaluations at 6 of Victoria University’s Campuses revealed that a key issue for students was a lack of informal and social space.
A scheduled refurbishment of 2 levels of a building at the Footscray Nicholson Campus allowed us to address this issue by providing a large informal/social space.
Design Principles
The learning commons at the Footscray Nicholson campus was redeveloped a few years ago – also by Cox Architecture. We wanted to align with the aesthetic of that redevelopment and create a classic, high-class informal space with neutral colours and use of timber that maximised the impact of the almost double-height wall of windows.
Layout
Features
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A small kitchenette (where we are standing) with sink, boiling water, vending machines, microwaves. Looking out onto a “dining table” to the right, bench seating with a view out the double-height windows to the left and a variety of other seating options. |
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Lounge area – showing the double-height windows and the corner of one of the bookable pods (far right) |
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Making use of the height within the space to create different levels for students to sit. |
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Quiet areas (now with open access computers) tucked around the back of Meeting Pod 02. |
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3 groupwork pods that are bookable by students through the regular library system. Each pod includes an LCD screen and writable surface. |
Evaluation
The space has only just opened and will be formally evaluated during S1 and S2 2015.
