The largest investment for a single project in the University’s history, the project is part of the University’s ambitious $5 billion plan to transform its Bundoora campus into a University City of the Future.
JCB Architects have designed the sustainable and environmentally-conscious spaces, with construction by Multiplex.
Providing an additional 624 beds, the accommodation will be delivered in two new buildings that will utilise mass timber construction to be the largest project of its kind in Victoria.
The accommodation will comprise of a range of apartments and common amenities spaces as well as landscaping connecting the two buildings.
La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar, who today signed contracts on site with Multiplex, with JCB Architects present, said the project will greatly enhance the experience of students living on campus.
“Our exceptional new accommodation will enable more of our students to live on campus, close to where they are studying,” Professor Dewar said.
Graham Burrows, Director at JCB Architects, said the company was thrilled to be part of such an exciting and creative project.
“The design of the new buildings is very much inspired by the extraordinary landscape in which they sit. As the largest mass timber project in Victoria, the buildings will not only offer huge environmental benefits, but they will also provide calm and beautiful spaces in and around which both resident students and the wider La Trobe community can interact,” Mr Burrows said.
Multiplex Regional Director Ross Snowball said this is an innovative and ambitious project which Multiplex is also pleased to be part of.
“We are particularly passionate about emerging design technologies which respond to environmental and sustainability needs, and we love working with universities – so this project perfectly marries the two and I’m really looking forward to seeing the outcome next year,” Mr Snowball said.
Professor Dewar said the accommodation development project would be a major boost to the local economy, with construction supporting more than 500 direct and indirect jobs.
“La Trobe University is a major economic contributor to the economy of Northern Melbourne,” Professor Dewar said.
“This new accommodation project is a key part of our significant University City of the Future plan over the next 10 years, demonstrating our strong commitment to the region.”
New student accommodation: key facts
- Students beginning their studies in the second semester (July) of 2020 will be able to move into one of 624 additional spaces provided by the new accommodation.
- The two new buildings will increase the number of beds on campus to 2,150 at the Melbourne campus alone
- The accommodation will comprise of single, four, five and six bed apartments, including 13 accessible units, and common amenities spaces and landscaping joining the two buildings together.
- Harnessing new construction technology across the site, the building design incorporates innovative, sustainable and environmental features, with most of the existing trees being preserved in the placement and shape of the buildings.
- Much of the building is pre-fabricated off-site making the construction on campus as quick and noise-free as possible.
Media Contact: Georgia Brown – Georgia.Brown@latrobe.edu.au – 9479 3491 / 045676371
