28 April 2014
The University of South Australia’s brand new building in Hindley Street opens its doors to students today delivering not only a state-of-the-art learning and information hub but also addressing the practical matters on UniSA students’ wish list.
Named the Jeffrey Smart Building in recognition of the great Australian artist and UniSA alumnus, the $80 million student learning centre houses the UniSA library and a whole host of student services from teaching and learning support to accommodation services and room hire facilities.
With more than 600 student computers, the facility also features leading-edge teaching rooms designed for online collaboration with computer workstations designed for collaborative learning.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the building will transform the west end of the city by extending the footprint of the University and enhancing the community with a vibrant student population.
“This extends the notion of the university community and we are starting to get a real picture of what this end of town will be like when the suite of buildings planned for the area come on line – from SAHMRI, the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and our own new Centre for Cancer Biology and public science gallery, through to the further new and re-developments we have planned in and around City West campus,” he says.
“The Jeffrey Smart Building is the kind of place I think our students will love to learn in because it has been designed for them and with their needs in mind.
“Whether that is a quiet nook to read in or collaborative discussion spaces, or places where they can enjoy some down time or watch a film together – the building has all of that and more.
“One thing I know they will love, because they asked for it during our unijam consultation, is private lockers, each incorporating device charge stations so they can power up their phone or tablet securely.
“The building provides some core practical consideration but also all the inspiring and exciting features that make it a great place to learn.”
The new building, designed by architects John Wardle and Phillips/Pilkington has been built to embrace the streetscape and enhance the links between the green common at the front of the building and the glazed forum style ground floor entry. This street level also includes a café which faces Hindley Street and looks back into the rest of the campus.
The eight storey building features panoramic views of the city from a range of vantage points and each level has been designed with colour themes inspired by the South Australian landscape from the red centre to the coast.
First impressions for Tourism and Event Management student Lucy Toulmin are all positive.
“It’s amazing, I love the building. It makes you really look forward to coming to uni,” she says.
“I am only in first year so I’m really glad to know this will be part of my learning and study routine for the next few years. It makes me feel like a very lucky student.”
More information about the Jeffrey Smart Building is available online at unisa.edu.au/jsb.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli office: 08 8302 0966 mobile: 0418 823 673 email: Michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
