Get a glimpse of the new Melbourne School of Design by John Wardle Architects + NADAAA

With riveting geometric forms throughout the structure, it's hard to miss the new Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne. Designed by John Wardle Architects and NADAAA (who competed as Office dA at the time), the team won the commission from the University during a 2009 competition. Starting with 134 submissions from around the world, the University selected JWA + NADAAA out of six shortlisted firms to design the landmark building.

Completed within budget and four months ahead of schedule, the 15,772 m2 building acknowledges changing learning environments by providing students and faculty multiple spaces for their academic and professional needs.

Scroll down for more about the project from NADAAA.

Project description:

"The project integrates the requirements of both the University's Property and Campus Services and the Faculty. The design process has involved regular briefing meetings, workshops and presentations with various faculty user groups, University Committees and Reference groups."

"The building design responds to the planning principles set out in the 2008 University of Melbourne Parkville Campus Master Plan. The building design meets its briefed area and budget targets, comprising of 6 levels (basement plus five levels).

[It] incorporates two lecture theatres, workshop, library, two exhibition spaces, cafe, a series of studios over three levels, a studio hall, and a series of associated workspaces captured within the briefed 15,772 m2 GFA."

"Central to the design is the Studio Hall, a large flexible space that provides for informal occupation over all times of the day. The Studio Hall is enclosed to the west side by the former Bank of New South Wales façade, and to the east side the Studio Hall overlooks the new courtyard. It is spatially book-ended at the east side by the heritage façade of the Elisabeth Murdoch building."

"The Studio Hall is enclosed by a coffered timber roof that mediates natural daylight and assists natural ventilation. The building has been designed to incorporate a number of innovative structural and services systems that combined with the building’s façade system contribute to achieving the targeted 6 green star-rated building."

More project images in the gallery below. You can also read more about the competition process here.