Construction of the six-level, 17,488m2 FABP building will start in May 2013 for completion by the end of 2014 in time for the 2015 academic year.
“The tight timeframe means that our team will be constructing the building within a fully operable campus,” said Graham Milford-Cottam, regional managing director of Brookfield Multiplex Victoria.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about building and architecture on site while the FABP is being constructed as Brookfield Multiplex will work to create a 'living lab' in the building.
John Wardle Architects in Melbourne and NADAAA from Boston were the successful winners of a design competition for the building which received more than 130 submissions from 15 countries. The heritage listed facade will be retained. Originally from the old Bank of New South Wales, it was built in 1856 and relocated to the University Of Melbourne in 1932.
The building will also feature a suspended studio that will hang from the atrium and a Japanese room with cladding that alludes to traditional Japanese construction. Another element of the building is an underground library with glazed skylights that will open into the building.
Brookfield Multiplex and University of Melbourne will target a five-star Green Star design rating. The project team are currently investigating state-of-the-art environmental features including mixed-mode heating and cooling, double-glazing, glare reduction, rainwater collection, water recycling, low-energy light fittings, low-water sanitary fittings, levels of natural light, increased natural ventilation, bike storage facilities and showers.
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