Hundreds of Swinburne University of Technology students have contributed to the co-creation of next gen_campus through our latest online student survey.
Student views will guide our ambitious suite of works to transform student spaces and facilities across our Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna campuses.
Our collaborative approach will ensure our next gen_campus reflects students’ expectations for their on-campus experience, considering their needs and priorities for how they will use these facilities and spaces to work, study and interact with each other.
Student voices to shape upcoming changes
The survey results showed students want ergonomic seating and desks, as well as access to power and quality technology.
52 per cent of students want a combination of indoor and outdoor features, while more power outlets, bigger tables and pod seating also rated highly.
Students preference spaces that are bright and airy spaces and sensory-friendly, with options for both collaboration and quiet study.
For comfort and safety, comments were made on the need for gender neutral bathrooms and ensuring student-only access.
Design features were suggested, such as a central electronic board to advertise Swinburne information and events and a directory on entry.
For the more homely features, students requested access to hot/cold water taps and vending machines.
Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education, Experience and Employability Professor Pip Pattison said student input is crucial to delivering a better student experience, one with access to the latest technologies and advanced facilities to support students to learn, create, connect and innovate together.
“next gen_campus is elevating the on-campus experience for our students – we have them at the core of this project and know they are best placed to inform what this revitalisation should look like,” she said.
“We’re thrilled to see so many students already collaborating with us and taking up opportunities for involvement, like our recent survey, to have their say on the transformation of our campuses.
“It’s quite special to think our students will be leaving such a legacy of connection with spaces that will serve our diverse student community for many decades to come.”
Bachelor of Computer Science student Jesse Lyon is helping to shape the design of our next gen_campus.
Stakeholders committed to co-creation
Student commentary from this survey will compliment feedback already gathered by key next gen_campus stakeholders, Kosloff Architects and Greenaway Architecture, who have each held multiple on campus and hybrid workshops with staff and students on their respective projects of the new 24/7 Latelab and student hub, and the Indigenous Learning Circles.
“We are looking forward to gaining as much input as possible from students as to what they would like to see in the new facility, as well as feedback from them through every stage of the design process,” Kosloff director Stephanie Bullock said.
These firms are joined by h20 Architects and Spowers Architects. h20 Architects will be preparing designs for the Protolab, extending the existing space to accommodate both VET and higher education students, whilst Spowers Architects will be transforming our VET teaching spaces across all three campuses to accommodate digital, blended learning experiences.
The next gen_campus team will be running future engagement opportunities for students, including workshops and surveys, across the life of this project. Students are encouraged to keep an eye out for the next gen_campus team at Swinburne’s upcoming Open Day and Welcome Back Week at all three campuses to share their thoughts on these upcoming works.
The next gen_experience
The centrepiece of next gen_campus is Campus Heart, a new ‘learning and social engine’ at our Hawthorn campus on the site of the existing Atrium, connecting refurbished BA and Library buildings.
To make way for this landmark development, a new 24/7 Latelab and student hub will be built in Hawthorn’s 27 John St building opposite the Library.
There will also be upgrades and improvements to outdoor spaces, ensuring we pay tribute to the traditional owners of the lands on which our campuses stand, and provide culturally safe spaces where all students can gather.
The project will deliver specialist facilities and classrooms that enable our teachers to create and deliver advanced and innovative forms of digitally enabled, blended learning experiences. These spaces will produce job-ready graduates who are sought after by industry.
This transformative project demonstrates Swinburne’s promise to becoming the prototype of a new and different university.
Upgrading our campuses will give students better spaces to study and interact as they create and innovate for the future now.