Dr Chau Building keeps its secrets as first staff move in
December 2014
Activity around the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building went up several notches from late November as Business School staff and HDRs (higher degree research students) began a much-anticipated move into their stylish new digs.
Activity around the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building went up several notches from late November as Business School staff and HDRs (higher degree research students) began a much-anticipated move into their stylish new digs.
By mid-December, more than 350 from the faculty will have relocated from Building 5 and the Kuring-gai campus, part of a small – and privileged – group allowed access.
For the rest of the university community, it’s a case of counting down the days until the official opening on 2 February and the community open days on 7 and 8 February, when the building will be on full show (put it in the diary!)
UTS's newest building is open only to staff working there until February.
UTS's newest building is open only to staff working there until February.
Access arrangements
As there is no general access until Semester 1, anyone attending a meeting at the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building will need to be on Security Services' visitor list to be allowed entry at Mary Ann St, where they will be collected by a staff member at a pre-arranged time.
In many cases, it may be more convenient to arrange meetings elsewhere on campus prior to the start of Semester 1, 2015.
Why the mystery?
Keeping the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building off limits for the time being isn’t always easy but it is important as ITD and AVS are currently completing vital commissioning work to ensure teaching, learning and meeting spaces are ready for the start of Semester 1. In addition, the design phase for the fit-out of the cafes on levels 2 and 3 is underway, in preparation for opening in February 2015.
Not even staff currently working in the building have full visibility of the interiors, with several unique features – including the much-discussed sculptural stainless steel stairway – under wraps until the grand reveal at the opening in February.
Omnibus lane
With the main construction complete, the contractor Lend Lease has demobilised from the former TAFE car park site. A small workforce is currently resurfacing Omnibus Lane. This work should be complete before the Christmas break.
Upcoming milestones
- Second staff move – 12 December, 2014
- Official opening – 2 February, 2015
- Community open days – 7–8 February, 2015
- Cafes open – mid-February, 2015
- Semester 1 classes begin – 23 February, 2015
