A setting for engagement between university and industry

We created the Alumni Centre for Monash University. It was an interior redevelopment of an existing building in what Melbourne calls the Paris end of Collins Street: it’s set between highest-end retail and the lush garden of the exclusive Melbourne Club.

The Centre is a catalyst for engagement between Monash University and industry. It has a combination of workspaces for staff, students and professional-development education.

It accommodates a range of uses from private study to functions in public, outward-looking social spaces. It’s for a variety of work and education activities and different-sized groups. To make it as flexible as possible, we chose furniture that adapts the spaces to two or three different layouts each, and is easy to adjust and rearrange. We positioned power and data points to suit all layouts.

The Centre is a third place whose design intentionally blurs the boundaries between work, living and learning. BKK achieved this by choosing detailing and materials suited to high-end residential design so the spaces are comfortable and welcoming.

The fitout brings an identity and a public profile to an important university entity that is not a school.