La Trobe University Wodonga Student Residential | Billard Leece Partnership

One of a suite of projects for the La Trobe University Rural Health Services program currently being delivered across north west Victoria, the Wodonga campus student accommodation provides residential support for students in rural and regional areas to access ongoing studies. The accommodation provides 28 beds, amenities and common areas, kitchenettes and internal dining areas, external breakout space, and carparking. The 28 beds are divided between a pair of two storey buildings set within a new greenfield student accommodation precinct adjacent the main spine of the campus. The site provides an idyllic pastoral backdrop with rolling hills, expansive grasslands and aged gum trees. The building material and colour palette reflects the rural context. The design intent is to provide a strong sense of communal space, both within the residential precinct and within each individual housing pod. The bedrooms, support spaces and circulation of each building are arranged around a north facing courtyard with views into the courtyard from living and circulation areas, while individual student bedrooms are located with outward looking views. Large windows in all bedrooms provide natural light, views, and natural ventilation. Slimline bricks play upon the scale of the building and accentuate the linear aspect of the landscape, a blend of grey and brown tones reflect the rural context, and provide the building with a distinctive character and quality. Awarded winner of the Overall and Commercial Categories in the 2012 Think Brick Horbury Hunt Awards, the jury commented “The building is simultaneously ethereal and weighty, hard and soft. These enigmatic qualities are achieved through the bold use of brick as a singular yet supple material. The strong, formal presence of the buildings is featured into the landscape through textures and tones of the brickwork.”