McBride Charles Ryan Architects’ award-winning design of the Logan Hall student accommodation at the Clayton Campus brought Monash University’s aim to life in 2015: to create true urban communities in a quintessentially Australian style. Officially opened in 2016 by The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, The Governor of Victoria, Logan Hall completes the University’s new state-of-the-art living precinct.
Driven by MGS Architects' Clayton Campus Masterplan 2011-2023, the University’s aim was to resolve a challenge common to many Australian Universities – a critical shortage of onsite student accommodation – by providing more than 4000 student beds on campus by 2030. With a $145 million budget and more than 3,500 precast concrete panels later, Monash University has made significant inroads in meeting this aim. Four new student accommodation halls have been built and one, in particular, Logan Hall, is still turning heads across the building, architecture and design communities.
While Logan Hall’s leading edge design focused on accessibility and developing a strong sense of community, sustainable design and construction was also central to its development to achieve a 5-star-as-built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. The development includes 250 self contained studio rooms, each with as well as shops and cafes on the ground floor, creating a vibrant urban feel. The building’s fixed shading, high performance glazing and thermal mass and insulation achieved a durable, high performing structure.
The construction of Logan Hall was a resounding success thanks to Robertson Façade Systems’ efficient brick inlay system. This was used to fit glazed cyan and magenta brick tiles, supplied by Robertson's Building Products, in to concrete panels, creating the building’s façade. The glazed brick tiles added colour and character, and produced an exceptionally hardwearing and resilient facade that will last the building’s lifetime, with no ongoing maintenance costs.
The form of the building was influenced by environmental best practice to manage solar gain and maximise natural light. And, the understated variations in the panel shapes of the façades manipulate the light and provide natural variegation.
Not surprisingly, Logan Hall has won three awards: The Australian Institute of Architects’ (AIA) National Award 2016 for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing Award, the AIA Victorian Chapter Awards 2016 for Best Overend Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing and the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards for Multi-residential Exterior. The AIA judging panel commenting that, “McBride Charles Ryan has delivered a playful residence for the university students at Monash Clayton”. In particular, noting the skill of the architects in developing the stepped and tessellating façade, which brings the campus to life.
For Robertson Façade Systems and Robertson’s Building Products, who supplied the brick tiles, the Dulux Colour Awards were most pleasing. The judges commenting, “Logan Hall boasts a great use of monochromatic colour used to highlight articulation in the façade. The combination of the coloured glazed brick tiles with a simple palette creates a harmonious and amazing combination, setting a new benchmark for multi-residential exteriors.”
Architect: McBride Charles Ryan
Product: Cyan and Magenta glazed brick tiles
Façade System: Brick Inlay
Precaster: Westkon Precast
