Construction has officially commenced on La Trobe University’s $100 million student accommodation project at its Melbourne campus in Bundoora.
The student accommodation, which is the largest investment for a single project in the University’s history, is part of an ambitious $5 billion plan to transform the Bundoora campus into a ‘University City of the Future’.
Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB) Architects, the accommodation will be delivered in two new buildings that will utilise mass timber construction – the largest project of its kind in Victoria.
The accommodation will comprise a range of single, four, five and six bedroom apartments, provide an additional 624 beds (increasing the number of beds on campus to 2,150), feature several 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 representatives from Multiplex and 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,” he detailed.
“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 with,” Mr Burrows added.
The project is expected to support more than 500 direct and indirect jobs.