La Trobe University’s 624-bed student accommodation  is the largest mass timber building in Victoria, utilising 4500 cubic metres of Cross Laminated and GluLam timber. It also forms part of La Trobe’s ambitious plan to transform its Bundoora campus into a University City of the Future.

Two separate six-storey radial buildings envelop a generous central courtyard, purposefully shaped to respect the existing campus gum trees. A mix of one, four, five and six-bed apartments are supported by study areas, student kitchens and large communal spaces.

The design aims to foster residential life and campus communities, by reducing a large scale development into finer grain and human scale experiences.

The development is set to achieve a 5 Star Green Star as-built rating, while the use of mass timber construction and a high-performance united facade system will substantially lower its carbon footprint during the building’s lifespan.

Awards:

Australian Timber Design Awards: Multi-Residential
2020