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Victoria

Australian Catholic University

Modscape was approached by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) to develop a prefabricated modular solution that would create additional learning spaces on the university's St Patrick’s campus in Melbourne.
  • 2015

    Year Completed

  • 2,657m²

    Learning Space

  • 657m²

    Office Space

  • 46

    Modules

building from street with external artwork and stairs

Project Specifications

Outdoor breakout area, fully integrated data and audio-visual services, Vitrabond, Colorbond and timber cladding, modular lift.

Credits

Collaborators: Donald Cant Watts Corke (project management).

 

Indigenous art facade by Megan Cope, in collaboration with iAM.

building from street with external artwork
courtyard with stairs

Working closely with the University’s project manager, Donald Cant Watts Corke, a detailed site analysis of several locations on campus was undertaken to determine the ultimate position for this modular design project.

The new addition was sited in a prominent location at the corner of Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street and Victoria Parade, on what was a vacant tramways lot. The space connects directly with St Mary of the Cross Square, ensuring the building is fully integrated into the campus whilst activating what was once a derelict site.

building from street with external artwork
a floor plan of a building
courtyard with benches

The C-shaped design is made up of 46 modules and includes external decking with both covered walkways and open-air breakout spaces that connect the learning spaces around the perimeter and optimise the northern orientation.

The building utilises a bluestone plinth from a former tramways building to produce a connection to the site’s past, while the façade takes its inspiration from surrounding structures. A combination of Vitrabond and Colorbond produces a vertical rhythm along the streetscape. The building is completely integrated with ACU’s data, audio-visual and security systems and due to its location on a busy intersection of tramways and roads, is acoustically designed to block out external noise.

courtyard with stairs

The prefab project was completed in two stages. In stage one, 23 prefabricated modules were constructed in a total of 12 weeks. This stage comprised 2,000m² of learning space and was installed in only four nights between 1-4am to avoid disrupting the tram network.

The second stage involved another 23 modules, providing a further 1,315m² of learning and office space, installed during the university holidays in only 12 hours. Brunswick Street was closed to traffic and buses replaced trams during this remarkably quick installation, again minimising disruption to the campus and surrounding infrastructure and attracting great curiosity among passers-by.

building from street with external artwork
building from street with external artwork
classroom with tables and chairs
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