Students guide to Building 2: What’s happening and what does it mean for you?

March 2017

Wondering about the big pile of rubble behind the hoardings next to the UTS Tower? Noticed that Building 2 has vanished over the summer break?

If you’re not already aware, Building 2 is being completely reinvented as part of a visionary $1.3bn transformation of the UTS campus. Part a project known as UTS Central, Building 2 will give the university yet another state-of-the-art facility when it opens in 2019.

We’ve come a long way since the old building closed at the end of June 2016, but there’s plenty to do before our dynamic new student and research hub is finished. With construction set to begin in late March 2017, you can stay in touch through our UTS Central news and FAQs, but here’s what you need to know in a nutshell (okay, five nutshells).

So it begins meme

Construction work on Building 2 begins later in March
 

1. Why UTS needs a new building

The transformation of Building 2 will not only reinforce our distinctive reputation for learning and research, and further add to the vibrancy of our campus, but support future student and academic growth. Not that we like to boast, but being Australia’s number one ranked ‘young’ uni means that more people than ever want to study here – you included! Our growing community has to fit somewhere.
 

2. What’s going in the building

It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? A new state-of-the-art UTS Library (which will relocate from Building 5!), learning commons, a Student Services hub, a range of collaborative learning spaces and cross-faculty research space are just a taste of things to come when Building 2 is finished in 2019. These spaces will support UTS’s new learning model and help equip you, our students, for the careers of the future. More on this soon!

Artist impression of Building 2 from Jones St

Jones St perspective of Building 2 when it's complete
 

3. How the building will look

Check out the artist’s illustration above. Cool, huh? Note the glass-encased podium on levels 3–7, overlooking Broadway to the south and Alumni Green to the north. This houses the bulk of the social, student-focused areas. And above it? A nine-level ’twisted tower’ that will be dedicated to research. The design is by an Australian architectural firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT), which is working alongside architects Lacoste + Stevenson and Daryl Jackson Robin Dyke.
 

4. What’s coming up

Recently, it’s been all about the old building coming down but once heavy demo is complete in mid-March, things will start to look up – quite literally – as construction of our new building begins. If you happen to be on campus on 21-22 March, you’ll witness the first of our two giant tower cranes being installed. At full height it will be taller than Building 11, and could shift a T. rex (if we had one!). Just a word of warning – there will be temporary access restrictions along Jones St to Thomas St and on Alumni Green, and some noise, during installation. The good news (particularly for those who love to lounge on the Green) is that construction noise in general will be a little less intrusive once demo wraps up.

Student commons in the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building

The student commons in the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
 

5. Find a study space

We know the building works get loud at times (no pain, no gain!) so if you need to escape to a place where earplugs aren’t essential wear, there are plenty of options on campus. Just across the way from the Building 2 site, Building 11’s learning commons on level 00 or Building 7’s student commons (which doubles as a café!) on level 3 provide plenty of space to work solo or in groups. Or if you fancy going further afield, there’s a wealth of study spaces in Building 5. The UTS Library and Block 5A offer everything from quiet spots to collaborative pods, and there are also two student lounges in Block 5B. While you’re in the area, check out the curvaceous student commons in the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building (see image above). Of course, if you enjoy combining sun and study, Alumni Green is always recommended but be sure to have your headphones and music with you – just in case ‘Jackhammer Blues’ gets a little too loud. For more ideas, check out the student hot-spots video.

So that wraps up the essentials on Building 2. It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway!) that heavy vehicles and pedestrians don’t mix. With construction trucks ramping up on site, please take care, watch where you’re going and listen to the instruction of traffic controllers on Jones St and Broadway. We’d also encourage you to consider other routes around campus, avoiding Broadway which can get really congested.


Click the image to open the campus map and plot a route that avoids Broadway
 

Further information/feedback

Find answers to more frequently asked questions. To provide feedback or request information about the project or contractor, please contact masterplan.feedback@uts.edu.au.  
 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.