Another big year in 2015 and plenty more to come
December 2015
In what was another big year for the billion-dollar-plus UTS City Campus Master Plan, the official openings of two daring new buildings and the closure of the much-loved Kuring-gai campus and relocation of staff and students to the city took centre stage.
Amid these big projects, work began, progressed or was completed on a range of smaller (but no less important!) refits, upgrades and enhancements. Little by little, the City campus continued to be reshaped for the future – albeit with a little less jackhammering than in previous years.
While we reflect on some of the 2015 project highlights, it’s also a good time to look ahead at what’s coming up next year, with the focus turning to UTS Central (more on that later).
2015 snapshot
Grand openings – Following its completion in late 2014, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building’s official opening drew a glittering crowd, including celebrity architect Frank Gehry and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove. Not to be outdone, the Science and Graduate School of Health Building launched to the news that it had scored a coveted Six Star Green Star design rating. Both buildings opened for teaching in semester 1, 2015, and ushered in a whole new approach to learning and research.
The new Science and Graduate School of Health Building.
Tall tales – UTS administrative units continued to consolidate in the Tower, with levels 22, 23 and 24 given a stylish refit for HRU and FSU. Meanwhile, the refurbishment of levels 11 (partial), 12 and 15 are just about complete ahead of their occupation by ITD and SAU. Concept design for levels 20 and 21 also got underway, ahead of refits for International, Advancement, Shopfront, Corporate Relations, External Engagement and the Centre for Local Government in 2016.
Top 10 – With HRU and FSU having decamped to their new spaces in the Tower, levels 2–8 in Building 10 underwent a full or partial (and very distinctive!) refurb for their new Health and FASS occupants, including staff and students who have begun to arrive from Kuring-gai.
New era begins – With remaining Kuring-gai staff moving into their new homes in the city (welcome all!), decommissioning of UTS’s bush campus is close to complete. At year’s end, UTS formally departs Kuring-gai and a new era begins for UTS, united for the first time in the city.
Light bulb moment – Our beloved UTS Tower (and Building 6) got its name in lights, ensuring it can be seen for miles around at night. The delicate operation by skilled abseilers to remove the old branding and install the illuminated sky signage made for a great spectacle.
Visualise this – The much-anticipated Data Arena in Building 11 opened to much excitement from researchers and industry. This immersive 3D visualisation facility allows researchers to make sense of big data, opening the door to new research insights and breakthroughs.
On and off Broadway – Much-needed repairs to corrosion on the Harris St footbridge, Building 6 façade and awnings along Broadway and Harris St were carried out, with work on the Building 3 turret continuing until late January 2016. The sound hasn’t always been music to the ears of staff and students so thanks for bearing with us.
Booked out – Fewer items on shelves (thanks to the underground LRS) allowed for about 260 more seats in the Blake Library, following the creation of new individual and group study areas, general access computing, a games room and other spaces on levels 2–5.
Boost for Building 4 – The renumbering of floors to align with adjacent buildings, including the new Science and Graduate School of Health Building, was completed, kicking off a two-year interior upgrade. A number of new classrooms, labs and workspaces are already open.
Eleventh heaven – Having opened to fanfare in 2014, Building 11 didn’t rest on its laurels, with a range of exciting new developments during 2015, including an ongoing interactive wayfinding trial, an interactive wall in the Jones St lobby and the start of construction for eight new collaborative classrooms seating more than 500 students.
Best seat on the Green – Deckchairs, rugs, and outdoor settings with power outlets and shade umbrellas arrived at Alumni Green, and were quickly snapped up by students ready to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and collaborative opportunities offered by UTS’s ‘green heart’.
Ups and downs – Building 10’s lift upgrade came to a much-anticipated end with all cars back on line and the promise of speedier rides and shorter waiting times finally fulfilled – to much rejoicing from staff and students.
Secret’s out – Building 15 emerged from the shadows of its Frank Gehry-designed neighbour, following a fresh coat of paint. A facelift to the adjacent car park wall has enhanced views through to the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building from Harris St, and further transformation of the car park space is anticipated.
Good to go – The Goods Line, a walkway and cycleway linking Central with Darling Harbour opened behind Building 6. Consisting of a series of raised pavilions and landscaping, it also provides direct entry into the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building.
Eat St – Run-down Kensington St alongside Central Park was restored to create a buzzing urban laneway with a focus on restaurants, cafés and small bars. Artists, galleries and innovative retailers have also begun to move in, with social entrepreneurs and creatives expected to follow.
It wouldn’t have happened without …
Even smaller projects require the cooperation, commitment and energy of more people than most could ever imagine. Thank you to everyone involved from around the campus – you know who you are.
A big thank you must also go to the entire UTS community for your forbearance and enthusiasm as we continue to create our campus of the future.
Looking ahead to 2016
The next step in our transformation to becoming a world-leading university of technology will require us to grow our academic activity and reputation, and achieve depth of excellence in all our activities. This will mean boosting academic staff numbers in strategically important areas, and ensuring that UTS has the future-focused, collaborative and innovative spaces necessary to support performance excellence.
The start of the New Year will signal the start of a host of new projects as part of the City Campus Master Plan, headlined by the UTS Central project (which we cannot wait to share more about!), alongside continuing upgrades to the Tower.
Until then, happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year when UTS: InProgress will return periodically to keep UTS in touch with the latest campus developments.
