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QUT International College Refurbishment

Transformation success within a tightly confined site and live environment challenges.

The refurbishment of Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) International College, located on the Kelvin Grove campus, has seen the old 80’s building transform into a modern workplace, teaching, and learning space. 

Extensive demolition of existing walls provided open collaborative spaces, natural light, and a significant uplift in amenities.  The installation of an architectural ‘feature tree’ is the central focal point of the foyer and general meeting space. Other key design elements include double layered curved glazing with acoustic panels to achieve high spec auditory performance for classroom areas while providing a modern architectural feature.

The project scope also included the entry bridge refurbishment with feature paneling, tiling, lighting, and signage.

Delivery & Outcomes

The site was a live student environment, located in a restricted position on campus and tightly confined by surrounding buildings, an adjacent overhead footbridge and a 60-meter sloping pathway from the building to the closest road. Careful planning and consultation were undertaken with the university to establish pedestrian diversions and safe accessways for all deliveries to the site.  A temporary external lift was constructed to facilitate workers and materials accessibility to site while minimally impacting staff and students using other areas of the building. Installation of this hoist was constructed on the exterior of the building which required the removal of windows and external structure to maximize access.

Client

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Architect

PDT Architects

Contract sum

$5.9M

Program

32 weeks

Completion

August 2020