Landmark campus gateway underway

Supporting greater collaboration between staff, and featuring landscaping and pedestrian and cyclist access and facilities, the development will also release valuable space for future affordable student accommodation, Higher Degree Research and visiting academic offices, and ceremonial events.

Greg Robinson, Director of Campus Infrastructure, said: “The City Road development is an exciting opportunity to create a new urban square, and a landmark entry to one of Sydney’s most important institutions.

Teaching and research staff from the discipline of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LEES) – including members of the new School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SoLES) – will come together in the proposed new LEES1 Building.

A unique layout will preserve the mature figs on one boundary and deliver approximately 10,000 m² of flexible, new research and teaching space.

Designed by HDR Rice Daubney, the LEES1 Building will connect with the podium levels of the existing F07 Carslaw Building to enable shared common spaces and facilities, while allowing movement between the two buildings. These connections will multiply when the Carslaw Building is redeveloped in the future.

“The LEES1 Building will put science on display,” said Mr Robinson.

“By encouraging cross and inter-disciplinary interaction – and embracing the world’s best practice in teaching, laboratory and workplace design – we’re creating a sustainable teaching hub in the heart of the University.”

University executive staff and administrative functions will be housed in a new five storey facility on the southern edge of the Camperdown Campus. Known as the F23 Administration Building, it will bring together co-workers currently situated across the university.

The design, by Grimshaw Architects, acknowledges the heritage of the campus and complements its existing sandstone buildings. Large floor plates will allow for open plan spaces to improve productivity and departmental interaction.

Environmental Impact Statements have been on display on the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Major Project website, and a community briefing has been held.

Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year, with the developments slated for completion in 2018.

Earlier this month, the University launched the Abercrombie Building, the world’s most advanced business education facility that houses the University of Sydney Business School.