The University of Melbourne, Veterinary School provides world-class education for students and state-of-the-art facilities for practicing veterinarians by introducing the energy of the outdoors into all learning spaces.
Blurring the lines between inside and outside, rural and suburban, the new campus encourages an agile and exciting learning experience.
Designed by Billard Leece Partnership as a “Sticky campus”, their scheme encourages students to learn, live and socialize on site, and take advantage of shared amenities.
The design responded to the challenges of online learning and attracts international, rural and city students.
Components of the Learning and Teaching Building (LTB) are open 24/7, enrich the campus lifestyle and provide spaces for professional development for practicing veterinarians.
As the tallest built form, the LTB draws everyone towards and through the campus.
The ground floor extends the social heart of the campus, improving connectivity to its landscape.
A main staircase is a dynamic pathway of connected spaces from perches, nooks, and ledges looking out to the surroundings while bridging all internal terrain.
It is enveloped by perforated aluminum sun-shading, reducing the need for artificial light, flooded by sunlight during the day, and allows internal light to radiate out at night, attracting interaction through to the evening.
In the library, bespoke glass displays house treasured collections like a jewelry box.
Subdued lower lighting levels and zoning of furniture, softer carpet creates quieter conditions.
In a natural garden setting, student lounges retain blockwork pillars and sustainable finishes are specified for longevity.
Change rooms are reminiscent of homestead ‘boot rooms’; rustic and durable.
Clinical skills labs follow the colours of the Vet-Hospital, linking the teaching environment with the working environment.
The U-Vet Hospital features a new entrance and waiting area, consulting suites, intensive care and emergency wards, wards accommodating different species, working and learning spaces, and additional parking.
Consulting with practicing veterinarians, the Billard Leece Partnership design team gained insight to reducing animal stress during wait time, a significant factor for a positive visit.
Curved timber ‘pods’ in the waiting area minimize stress by averting a pets’ field of vision, providing separation and reducing fear.
Delivery of the design for the complex project approached a challenging program and budget criteria which required monitoring.
Integration of existing buildings provided options to add value through amalgamating building functions.
Overall planning considers future expansion possibilities beyond this redevelopment. Internal and external design features are symbiotic, creating a seamless flow and allowing everyone access to the landscape required.
By collaborating with external architects and ESD experts, the benefits of proposed sustainability endeavours were measured and modelled through simulation.
Evidence based calculations informed our design decisions.
Reducing utility consumption ultimately reduced operating costs.
Key sustainability measures included an efficient façade system with high performance double glazing, external solar shading and insulation.
HVAC systems utilizing control strategies, efficient evaporative cooled chillers, an artificial lighting system using high efficiency LED lighting and LED downlights were also utilized.
Solar PV panels provide energy from the rooftop.
Efficient water fixtures and fittings use Class A recycled water.
The redevelopment was built over a pre-developed land, reducing impact on green field sites.
Key Products Used
General furniture – Bowen Group
Timber stools – Mark Tuckey
Nanna and Jorgen Ditzel Hanging Egg Chair – Feel Good Designs
Café lighting – Muuto
Vinyl Flooring – Tarkett
Vinyl Floor Tiles – Bolon
Flooring – Karndean
Carpet Tiles – Interface
Carpet – Mohawk Group
General and Laboratory Joinery finishes – Laminex
Solid Surface finishes – Corian
Wall and Ceiling paints – Dulux
Acoustic panels – Autex
Tiles – Signorino Tile Gallery
Upholstery – Kvadrat Maharam
Upholstery – Instyle
Dot Coat Hooks – Muuto
Project Details
Project size – 8,820 m2
Project budget = $56,000,000
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 4
Project Team
Architecture
Billard Leece Partnership
BLP are a group of dynamic architects, interior designers, and urban designers based in Melbourne and Sydney, working Australia-wide and internationally across all sectors.
They have a proven track record of designing and delivering complex projects.
BLP develop a collaborative and comprehensive design approach unique to each client and project and aspire to produce innovative architecture.
They create environments tailored to suit their clients’ expectations which provide enjoyment to the people who inhabit them.
Landscape Design
Outlines
Outlines is a team of highly talented and dedicated professionals. They deliver engaging and creative solutions across the disciplines of landscape architecture, urban design, architecture and product design. The Outlines team are multi-skilled and they work for an array of clients across different sectors – local and regional, big and small.
Facade Consultant
Bonacci
Founded in 1981, Bonacci Group is an employee-owned Engineering Design consultancy specialising in structural, civil and facade engineering. They have accumulated extensive experience in a wide range of sectors including high rise, health, education, government and public, and defence.
Building Surveyor
Du Chateau Chun
du Chateau Chun continue to evolve as market leading building regulation and building compliance consulting professionals, operating in the private sector since regulatory reform in 1987.
ESD / Fire Engineer
Umow Lai
Umow Lai is a multi-disciplinary Building Services Engineering and Sustainability consultancy that provide design advice to the Australian and international markets.
Umow Lai provides value through high quality, cost effective, innovative and sustainable design solutions and the application of advanced design technologies to deliver outstanding outcomes.
Their ‘Core Services’ include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fire protection services whilst our other offerings include sustainability, ICT and fire engineering.
Photography
Emily Bartlett
Emily s a Melbourne-based commercial photographer, specialising in architecture and interiors.
www.emilybartlettphotography.com
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2020 Billard Leece Partnership. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2020 Emily Bartlett. All Rights Reserved.
Get the Builtworks Letter
In every edition of the Builtworks Letter, you’ll get the behind-the-scenes backstory as to how buildings are designed, built, and brought to life.
You’ll hear compelling stories, learn surprising ideas, meet engaging characters, and discover unique voices.