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Project information

La Trobe’s new $100 million Student Accommodation Project is the largest investment for a single project in the University’s history.

Comprising 624 beds, the Student Accommodation Project improves access to high quality accommodation for students on campus and is the second largest project and a major centrepiece of the University’s ambitious $5 billion plan to transform its Melbourne Campus in Bundoora into a University City of the Future.

Designed by JCB Architects with construction by Multiplex, the Student Accommodation Project included two new buildings that utilise mass engineered timber construction - the largest project of its kind in Victoria. The accommodation is centrally located within the core campus on College Drive, near the existing residences of Glenn College and the Indoor Sports Centre.

Key features and benefits

  • 624 beds across two buildings comprising single, four, five and six bed apartments, with landscaping that joins the two buildings together.
  • 13 purpose-built rooms with accessible features for residents with additional mobility or sensory needs.
  • Common areas with shared amenities for residents to meet and socialise
  • Harnessing new construction technology, the building design incorporates innovative, sustainable and environmental features.
  • 2,700 native indigenous plants grown at the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary were planted around the buildings.
  • The project supported the creation of over 500 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
  • The new accommodation increases the number of beds at the Melbourne Campus in Bundoora to 2,150.

Sustainable and innovative design

Designed by JCB Architects, the new Student Accommodation building includes a range of environmentally sustainable features that showcases La Trobe’s commitment to sustainable practices and maintaining its Green Star Communities accreditation:

  • The Student Accommodation Project is a mass engineered timber construction project that will utilise Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – a new, sustainable and renewable construction technology.
  • The unique, arc-shaped buildings were designed to respond to the existing environment at the campus, with most of the existing trees being preserved in the placement and shape of the buildings.
  • 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built v1.2 certified rating.
  • Accelerated construction techniques such as pod bathrooms, prefabricated concrete and Cross Laminated Timber fast-tracked construction and minimised impact and noise on site.
  • The project took out the Architecture Award in the ‘Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing’ category of the Victorian Chapter of the Institute of Architects Awards in June 2021
  • The project also won the Multi-Residential award in the Excellence in Timber Applications category at the 21st Australian Timber Design Awards in late 2020

Watch the La Trobe Apartments North and South come to life:

To find out more about living in the new accommodation, visit Living at La Trobe.

  • In June 2019, The Honorable Colin Brooks MP was joined by Professor John Dewar, Natalie MacDonald, Susanne Newton and members of the Project team to officially mark the commencement of construction.
    In June 2019, The Honorable Colin Brooks MP was joined by Professor John Dewar, Natalie MacDonald, Susanne Newton and members of the Project team to officially mark the commencement of construction.
  • In July 2019, the first delivery of environmentally sustainable Cross Laminated Timber arrived on site, signalling the start of the building structures.
    In July 2019, the first delivery of environmentally sustainable Cross Laminated Timber arrived on site, signalling the start of the building structures.
  • An example of a bedroom in a shared apartment. Each room has an exposed Cross Laminated Timber feature wall.
    An example of a bedroom in a shared apartment. Each room has an exposed Cross Laminated Timber feature wall.
  • The top of the staircase with the exposed cross-laminated timber on show.
    The top of the staircase with the exposed cross-laminated timber on show.
  • The two arc-shaped buildings were designed to respond to the existing environment at the campus.
    The two arc-shaped buildings were designed to respond to the existing environment at the campus.
  • The accommodation is centrally located within the core campus on College Drive, just a two-minute walk from the Indoor Sports Centre.
    The accommodation is centrally located within the core campus on College Drive, just a two-minute walk from the Indoor Sports Centre.
  • The buildings are constructed with Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – a sustainable and renewable construction technology.
    The buildings are constructed with Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – a sustainable and renewable construction technology.
  • The apartments improve access to high quality accommodation for students on campus.
    The apartments improve access to high quality accommodation for students on campus.
  • The accommodation includes single, four, five and six bed apartments, common amenities spaces and landscaping, plus 13 accessible apartments.
    The accommodation includes single, four, five and six bed apartments, common amenities spaces and landscaping, plus 13 accessible apartments.
  • A vast, light-filled, timber staircase provides students with additional space to meet and socialise.
    A vast, light-filled, timber staircase provides students with additional space to meet and socialise.
  • There are additional break-out spaces for studying.
    There are additional break-out spaces for studying.
  • The buildings include common areas with shared kitchen facilities.
    The buildings include common areas with shared kitchen facilities.