BESIX Watpac reaches completion of new Saint Teresa of Kolkata campus building in Melbourne for Australian Catholic University

Australian Catholic University’s new Saint Teresa of Kolkata building has opened its doors in Melbourne, Australia. This marks the completion of the project for BESIX Watpac who was in charge of the construction. The new 18,344 m² university building ushers in a new era of learning in Melbourne that aims to energise and connect ACU’s students and staff by combining centralised teaching facilities and informal learning spaces, while focusing on well-being through comfort, natural light and green spaces.

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New era of learning

The 13-storey Saint Teresa of Kolkata building is part of ACU’s plan to accommodate the mounting student and staff growth within the city of Melbourne’s suburb Fitzroy. It aims to enhance its students’ and staff’s engagement and connectedness through centralised teaching facilities and informal study spaces. In addition, the building includes upgraded student amenities, elevated garden spaces with city views, a rooftop multi-sports court and an underground car and bicycle parking. Blending innovative technologies and sustainability, the new building is targeting 5-Star Green Star Design & As Built ratings.

Uniquely, the new campus includes 7 levels of basement and the construction of three additional levels over the heritage-listed Mary Glowrey Building built in 1924. The latter involved the full façade restoration of the building to Victorian heritage requirements, which included the use of 21 different types of façade and glazing. Inside, a diverse selection of finishes was used to blend the new and heritage-listed buildings together. Furthermore, BESIX Watpac’s engineering team created added value by undertaking engineering reviews and analyses including involvement in the solution to erect structural steel supported from the ground level over the existing 6-storey building.

Challenging site location

The location of the site highly contributed to the complexity of the project. Construction and fit-out programmes were carried out while the existing university building was still in operation, with provisions made to account for the site’s location abutting four busy city streets that could not be closed down. This presented a variety of logistical challenges, which were carefully managed through meticulous methodology planning.

40 years of experience

The Saint Teresa of Kolkata building adds to BESIX Watpac’s experience within the education and research sector. During its rich 40-year history, the company has delivered more than 40 major education facilities and research centres, including the Deakin University Law School Building, Macquarie University’s Australian Hearing Hub, University of Queensland’s Advanced Engineering Building and almost a billion dollars of public school projects.