UNSW Sydney’s new $187 million Science and Engineering Building (SEB) is located on the corner of International Road and Third Avenue and spans 10 levels and features 24,500 square metres of modern teaching and research space.
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the SEB shares features with the adjacent Hilmer Building (delivered by Multiplex in 2015), enabling several of the UNSW’s schools within the Science, Engineering, Arts and Social Sciences faculties and the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre to be co-located in two purpose-built and interconnected buildings.
The SEB’s design is a consistent extension of the Hilmer Building and includes a flexible laboratory core, with modules arranged around a central service corridor.
Workstation and office accommodation are provided around the perimeter of floor plates with the same details and specifications for joinery, wet areas and finishes, façade design including shading elements and vertical services distributed through main risers at each end of the laboratory’s core.
The SEB also features an innovative multi-purpose basement which is designed to be multi-purpose, providing room for storage and contemporary interactive and collaborative teaching spaces.
Executive Director for Estate Management at UNSW, Jeff Peers, said the new building further consolidates UNSW’s reputation among the world’s top 50 universities.
“Designed to encourage innovation and collaboration for its users, this high quality and attractive building delivers a world-class research and learning environment. It will enable UNSW to attract the best talent in terms of students, researchers, industry and international partners,” he said.
With more than 54,000 students enrolled at the UNSW Kensington campus, Multiplex worked with the university to schedule heavy works outside of peak times and minimise disruption.
In addition to accommodating daily campus activity, Multiplex was required to construct bridge links on every floor connecting the SEB to the Hilmer Building, and build an underground performing arts theatre – all whilst the Hilmer Building remained in operation.
Over 2,900 people worked on site during the building’s construction.