THE Western Sydney University’s new $340 million, 26,500 sqm vertical Bankstown City Campus has reached completion.
Occupied by researchers, educators and students from first semester, the 18-storey project comprises nine levels for education and nine levels for industry collaborators, with 32 scalable learning and research studios and 25 teaching nodes, and brings together up to 10,000 students, 1,000 staff and various industry partners.
Delivered in partnership with Walker Corporation and the University, the tower was constructed by Built, with architectural fit-out by HDR and a Lyons-designed base build.
Utilising computational analysis and generative design principles, HDR designed a series of semi-enclosed cabins, cocoon-like reading spaces and reflection huts for focused or collaborative work.
“We have created a sensory omniverse of learning experiences with diverse space typologies that prioritise agnostic and informal learning so staff can seamlessly switch between flexible learning modes,” said Alex Wessling, HDR director and project lead.
Located on the traditional land of the Dharug people, the design of the new campus also aims to be a reflection and celebration of the cultural heritage of the diverse student population. The existing Milperra campus’ Wall of Hands, a five-metre brick wall of Indigenous graduates’ painted handprints over the past 40 years, has been reimagined and transformed into a digitally manipulated, steel artwork in collaboration with industrial artists.
The re-envisioned Wall of Hands, with space to continue this tradition, is located within the beating heart of the new campus’ Student Hub, and the original wall now exists as a recycled sculptural seating arrangement at the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education’s Yarning Circle.
Hundreds of hand-woven light pendants throughout the building, facilitated and collated by Koskela in collaboration with Indigenous artists, further connects the campus to Country and community.
“Bankstown City Campus will offer highly-accessible, technology-rich teaching and research facilities, and will provide our students with the opportunity to engage in work-integrated learning and collaborative research partnerships,” said Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO.
