Archetech Issue 41 2019 | Page 7

Connectivity was a key focus of the design, both internally and campus-wide. Entrances are located to pick up on key pedestrian routes to maximise permeability and provide accessibility from 360 degrees. Internally, the routes converge on a central light-filled atrium space—a space for socialising, learning and meeting.The more informal learning and social spaces are located around the perimeter of the building, and are designed to promote well-being by offering views of the campus landscape and mature trees. Make developed a clear, simple massing and layout diagram that showed stakeholders and planners that the setting of the adjacent buildings and trees would not be compromised. This involved physical models, refined and developed in collaboration with these parties. This skilled and sensitive approach to scale and massing enabled Make to achieve a successful planning outcome while addressing the needs of end users. The building takes advantage of the site’s drop in topography to create a double-height Learning Hub and introduce a mezzanine where students can work and socialise. A major cantilever shelters the external space below, which is embedded into the landscape. The atrium connects the spaces and provides a central focal point, as well as naturally ventilating the building and drawing in high levels of daylight. Other sustainable measures include a highly thermally efficient envelope with deep-set reveals and high thermal mass to balance heat loss and solar gain. A rigorous planning module was established early on, which enabled standardisation and a significant reduction in the number of building components and waste. WE DESIGNED THE TEACHING AND LEARNING BUILDING IN COLLABORATION WITH A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING ACADEMICS AND STUDENTS TO ENSURE IT WOULD MEET THE NEEDS OF THE USERS