Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) is designing and delivering the University of Melbourne’s Werribee Campus Redevelopment project, a five-storey Learning and Teaching Building and a two-storey extension to the existing Veterinary Hospital for the Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences (FVAS).
Sited 30km south-west of Melbourne, this new signature building within the University’s portfolio will play an important role in continuing to attract Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students from across the world to study at the University of Melbourne’s Werribee Campus.
The redevelopment will provide enhanced facilities including over 8,500sqm of world class veterinary teaching, learning and research facilities, utilising a flexible space design and utilisation approach to meet the high level requirements of International Accreditation for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
BLP’s design unifies the architectural character of the campus, responding to the unique semi-rural veterinary environment and celebrating both flora and fauna. High performance sun blades using an alternating colour palette inspired by the surrounding landscape metamorphose into a fritted glass façade that both screens and accentuates the activities within.
This brings energy to the building’s exterior expression while actively minimising the use of internal HVAC systems, and is one of several integrated design features targeting a minimum Five Green Star rating in line with the University’s core focus on environmental sustainability.
The Central Lawn will form the main social hub of the buildings, activating the ground level with facilities and landscaping that encourages and supports social interaction, collaboration and sharing of ideas, as well as public access to the hospital. Extensive landscaping works aim to re-shape the student, client and staff experience for the entire campus.
Internally, the Learning and Teaching Building contains a cascading northern stair with a range of stepped lounges, while intimate lounge styles and desk areas distributed through the building enables many different types of study settings supplemented by flexible active learning spaces.
The Vet Hospital Extension will support improved workflows within and around the existing Hospital, allowing it to remain in operation 24 hours a day.
The redevelopment seeks to promote cross-collaboration and innovation, by providing flexible and inspiring learning environments for vets of the future.
BLP is also developing a site wide master-plan that supports the University’s strong international reputation for achievements in quality learning and teaching programs, through engagement in enriching research and teaching.
“Schemes like the Werribee Campus Redevelopment project require a team that is experienced in designing and delivering technically demanding environments. As the University of Melbourne seeks to further expand its reputation for excellence across the globe, this striking new building will reinforce its commitment to providing the very finest facilities for study and academic research.” Ron Billard, Director at BLP
The project is currently in Design Development, and is expected to be completed by 2018.
