Faculty of Professions University of Adelaide

10 Pulteney Street

Faculty of Professions

University of Adelaide

The building located at 10 Pulteney Street, Adelaide is a late-1970’s structure. The University of Adelaide acquired the building in the late 1990’s due to its geographical proximity to the University campus and its frontage to North Terrace. The building has to date, been used as overspill space for a range of University functions. However, with increased pressure on campus space, the University has undertaken to refurbish and reposition the building to house the School of Professions.

The Woodhead/DCM team were chosen to provide a design concept that would successfully transform the building and give it a new life. The design concept proposed a new atrium at a ground level that would link the podium space to the tower and provide a common area for students and staff to mingle and circulate through the buildings. The facade to the north was revamped with a glass veil to allow greater light penetration into the spaces and demonstrated a number of ESD initiatives from solar collection, rain water harvesting and natural ventilation.

Partnering with DCM, Woodhead designed a successful concept

which effectively transformed the existing building into a vibrant

buzzing student centre.

Faculty of Professions

The University of Adelaide

A number of options were considered from full renewal, to new facade design, to reuse. The agreed design concept proposes a new atrium at a ground level that would link the podium space to the tower and provide a common area for students and staff to mingle and circulate through the buildings. A stair and level 1 bridge further enhance the foyer and the link between the existing buildings . The second stage of this project, aiming for a completion date to suit the start of semester 2009, is currently in the development and documentation phases. the result will offer visible expression for the future direction of Adelaide University.

New student dedicated spaces at lower levels to both of the existing buildings feature in the design . The Ground floor refurbishment includes the Undergraduate Centre reception, the Student Counselling Staff Office and a large and current style of Informal learning Centres. Level 1 houses the Post Gradate Centre front of house, Student Counselling Staff Office with adjacent teaching functions including a discursive theatre and flat floor teaching. The new link between the two existing buildings becomes the new foyer.

This new natural light filled glazed link provides an enlarged Foyer to the buildings and becomes the heart and centrepiece of the faculty of professions. It is designed to enhance a feeling of belonging for staff and particularly students. It is the pivot point for all circulation and the location for social contact and interaction. It also provided the prime location for whole of school and faculty functions. The reception areas are front of house spaces for undergraduate and Post graduate students capturing a professional, yet friendly interface where students can feel comfortable, welcome and respected.

In response to the NetGen trends the design is responsive to the need for third space or informal learning spaces on campus. Theses areas will be fun, comfortable and cafe style, grouped into Interactive, Creative, and reflective zones. The seating will flexible yet functional to these different requirements, including comfortable collaborative booths with LCD screens for group discussions and informal and low height seating near AV and teaching facilities for impromptu and informal teaching.

Undergraduate and Post Graduate Student Centre

Woodhead was also part of the consultation team commissioned to plan and consolidate the tower workspaces for the School of Professions within 10 Pulteney Street.

This interior refurbishment presented an opportunity for a ‘back to basics’ rethink of staff and student accommodation with a vision to progress these workplace solutions into future university projects.

The University plans to proceed with refurbishment changes across the campus as part of a big picture philosophy which involves consistent, fit for purpose, flexible, efficient and high quality environments which will continue to function and contribute to the University in the long term.

To assist with this process, Woodhead became consultants for the exploration of the academic workspace for the University of Adelaide. Through this process Woodhead confirmed the preferred solutions required to proceed with detailed design within each school.

The workplace concepts were discussed, workshopped, detailed, and subsequently fully contracted as a part office prototype for full review.

The conclusion of the project saw the workplace standards approved and fully documented to introduce consistency across the campus.

Workplace Standards and Office Prototype

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