Serving as the final piece surrounding UTS’ Alumni Green, UTS Building 7 houses a number of generic and figured spaces, with BVN & Durbach Block Jaggers crafting a colourful facade that preserves the sunlight that shines on the green.
The building’s unique envelope sees a number of sweeping arcs implemented throughout, mainly to ensure natural light continues to flood the Alumni Green. The facade itself consists of lightweight and fresh materials, with each floor featuring double layers of offset windows that are arranged in a concertina pattern and mimic the form of the building. The shades of green, yellow and blue reference a grove of trees.
The architects dissected the building into a number of spaces, including research facilities and teaching laboratories, offices, flat floor teaching and consulting rooms. The building’s circulation, coupled with informal meeting spaces and student commons areas seek to connect the rooms and facilities both above and below ground.
Building 7 connects to Building 4 via a number of connective elements, including a new front door and reception, a top lit stairwell, as well as breakout spaces and meeting rooms. Angled walls, reflective surfaces and thoughtfully placed skylights serve as a guide between the Alumni Green to the student spaces that sit below ground.
Building 7 was able to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating. Given the monolithic presence of the building and the spaces it comprises, this is no mean feat. The practice has been able to create a contemporary and practical building for the institution that ensures it does not cover the Alumni Green with shade, instead providing a place for students, tutors and researchers to thrive.
