Internal works ramp up as more of façade goes on show
May 2014
Not convinced bricks can curve? A quick walk down the Goods Line, Ultimo Rd or Mary Ann St will put an end to any doubt with more of the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building’s curved brick façade now on display.
The best view of the curved brickwork at the moment is from Mary Ann St. However, sections of the eastern brick façade along the Goods Line – by far the most undulating side of the building – will start to be revealed shortly.
The façade reveal will continue to happen in sections until about September 2014.
View of façade from Mary Ann St.
View of façade from Mary Ann St.
#UTSreveal photo campaign continues
Staff, students and the broader community are invited to share in the excitement of the unveiling of our new UTS Business School and future Sydney landmark by taking a photo and sharing it on social media using the hashtag #UTSreveal. Search the hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to view the journey so far.
240,000 bricks laid, 80,000 to go
It is estimated that 75% of the brickwork is now complete – that’s the equivalent of 240,000 bricks that have been laid (a huge achievement!). Brickwork has been completed on level 9 and has commenced on level 10.
In other news:
- Installation of the substrate panels (structural support, water barrier and “guide” for brickwork) is now complete
- Installation of structural steel for the Curtain Wall (glass) continues on western, Harris St side of Building. This large section of glass façade is on track for completion by August 2014, with glass panels arriving on site last week
- Smaller sections of glass have been installed at the North Canyon (Mary Ann St) and will also be installed at the southern, Ultimo Rd-entry of building
Onwards and inwards
For all the activity taking place on the outside of the building, there’s plenty going on behind-the-scenes:
- Concrete slab for oval classrooms’ ceilings (levels 3 and 4) completed
- Installation of oval classroom windows nearing completion
- Internal plasterboard walls installed up to level 5 and commenced on level 6
- Desks for general access computing installed on levels 5 and 6 along the curved internal wall (eastern side of building)
- Collaborative theatre on level 3 is the most completed space with concrete pours for tiered seating completed
- Work commenced to 240-seat auditorium on level 2, which has, up until now, been used as a main entry point and thoroughfare for moving goods on site
Offices take shape
Offices on level 5 are taking shape with wall partitions almost complete
- Partitions to offices on level 6 has commenced and work will start soon to offices on level 7
- It will be a while yet until desks and other joinery are installed in offices and open-plan areas
Design focus: polished steel staircase
A main design feature of the building, which is described as the sculptural focal point of the main lobby (level 3), is the stainless steel stair (see image top right).
- Stair comprised of a reflective, stainless steel structure and concrete steps (with stainless steel risers)
- It is currently being manufactured in China and will be shipped in pieces to Sydney
- It will be assembled on site from about July 2014
Did you know?
Staircases feature prominently throughout the building as a way of encouraging serendipitous meetings and interdisciplinary collaboration? The steel staircase will not only reflect the movement of people literally, but metaphorically the movement of ideas.
Coming up
- Façade completed – September 2014
- Façade reveal – In sections to September 2014
- Oval classrooms completed – September 2014
- Practical completion – September 2014
- Faculty relocation – October 2014 onwards
