University of Sydney Shepherd Street Building

The new 2,000sqm GFA building comprises of:

• Five dedicated teaching labs and a project lab.
• A seminar room and central store.
• Office and administration space for staff and faculty.
• External works including services diversions, civil and landscaping.

As the building was constructed on grade, with no significant excavation period required, the team were required to fast track the design finalisation process to ensure the programme maintained momentum in order to meet the university’s completion date in time for Semester 1, 2025. This process saw the team undertake fortnightly user group consultation to ensure fit-for-purpose spaces, and the delivery of prototype elements to ensure functionality for future users. The team also worked extensively with the various stakeholder groups within the university to incorporate changes while maintaining the programme.

Being undertaken within a close-knit local community, as well as ongoing operations to numerous adjacent university buildings to be maintained, a proactive approach to stakeholder management was a critical component of Buildcorp’s role throughout the works. The team worked closely with the university to establish clear communication lines, undertaking letterbox drops to notify of works with potential to cause disruption, and engaging proactively with the community.

The benefits for the University of undertaking the SSB Project have included addressing the need for accommodation in a way that facilitates the effective, efficient functioning of academic communities and the development of disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration through the location of buildings and the interconnections with existing buildings.