New business hub
The Business and Economics building at 198 Berkeley Street, Carlton is the University's newest five star energy rated building. Designed by architects Metier3, it was commissioned by Professor Margaret Abernethy as a purpose built teaching and research centre that would become a hub for business and economics learning and innovation. The building now forms an integral part of the growing university campus precinct south of Grattan St, Carlton.
Architect Paul Bennett of Metier3 says:"The University was looking for a landmark to signify their south-western gateway. The opaque enamelled glass has patterns suggesting deciduous trees in winter as well as an abstracted leaf canopy."
The building was given an Australian Excellence award by the Australian Green Building Council for its environmental credentials that include:
- a black-water recycling system
- the double glazed facade
- rainwater collection
- low-energy light fittings
- bike storage
- air cooled by "chilled beam" ceiling panels, and
- sustainable design features that result in a 50% reduction in energy use and 83% less water compared to the average office building.
The building's rating is part of a pilot for education institutions designed to improve the health and wellbeing of students, as well as to lower absenteeism and operational costs.
Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly Madew says: "The Faculty of Business and Economics was one of the first Green Star rated education facilities in Australia, and we commend the University of Melbourne for demonstrating early green leadership. There is now solid international evidence which confirms that green schools and universities can enhance student learning, create a better workplace for teachers and boost a school's competitiveness, not to mention reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The University of Melbourne's facility will help to deliver better outcomes for students, teachers and the environment well into the future."
The Business and Economics building provides state-of-the-art facilities to students and staff, featuring a range of collaborative and individual teaching spaces, open-access laboratories, two lecture theatres and student break-out areas for informal learning. Several classrooms, typically holding around 60 students in each, enable the teacher to be centrally positioned.
The building also incorporates cutting-edge audio visual and information technology facilities including video conferencing, wireless internet access throughout, and VoIP telephony. The benefit of this technology is to facilitate engagement and interaction.
Monument magazine who reviewed the building says: "...the brief acknowledged the significant lack of social and communal lounge spaces in most student housing and sought to redress this by providing a place for the collegiate within the faculty. A variety of furniture groupings are provided, some loose, some fixed; there is low seating and coffee tables, lounges, high benches and stools. These areas allow for a flexible array of work zones, meeting areas and social spaces for peer-to-peer contact...Below ground level is a lecture theatre where a Barbarella-meets-Burley Griffin extravaganza of translucent cubes contains lighting and acoustic panels.
Building launch - 22 February 2010
On 22 February, Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce officially opened the Faculty of Business and Economics new building. Watch edited highlights of the launch.
