September 1, 2017

Architecture award for newest student accommodation

Bangalay claims silver in Sydney Design Awards. 

UOW’s newest accommodation offering has been recognised for its unique design, claiming silver in the 2017 Sydney Design Awards.

Bangalay is the result of UOW’s vision to provide modern, high-quality, on-campus accommodation for Australian and international postgraduate students and was officially opened in June 2017.

The architectural vision for Bangalay was ‘to deliver a unique and contemporary accommodation solution that is in synergy with the strengths and qualities of the campus, where learning and social opportunities are extended into the new residences’, leading to the 2017 ‘Space Design – Architecture’ award in the public or institutional – constructed category.

Bangalay’s unique yet practical design includes a central courtyard that links to communal spaces inside, natural light and heating in winter that is maximised through north, east and west aspects, and fully self-contained units that enable independent living while also offering residents access to shared recreation, study and meeting facilities.

Designed to accommodate mature-age and postgraduate students, Bangalay offers a mix of single and double bed studios or two and three bedroom units for students with families.

Located within close proximity to a supermarket and childcare centre, Bangalay offers large open plan shared facilities to accommodate group learning and family activities, including a children’s play area and landscaped outdoor communal area.

UOW Chief Administrative Officer, Melva Crouch, said the aim of Bangalay was to provide students with comfortable accommodation that featured contemporary design while fostering a sense of community.

“We’re seeing a real sense of community in Bangalay and residents enjoying all our accommodation has to offer,” she said.

“The design of the building is just one part of how we’re creating a thriving community that integrates learning with social opportunities.”

Hutchinson Builders was selected by Living + Learning Partners to join the consortium under which UOW licenced its accommodation assets in 2014. Hutchinson Builders ran the design process and accepted the award on behalf of the University at the 2017 DRIVExDESIGN Awards Presentation event in Sydney last Tuesday (29 August).

Now in its seventh year, the Sydney Design Awards has recognised hundreds of outstanding design projects. The Sydney Design Awards is a member of the DRIVENxDESIGN awards program incorporating eight global design capitals.

Bangalay is the first of two major on-campus accommodation construction projects currently underway. The second is an 800-bed expansion of Kooloobong Village with an associated multi-storey car park at the western end of the main Wollongong Campus. This project is due for completion by 2018. 

Note: ”Bangalay” is a Dharawal name for the Eucalyptus botryoides, sometimes known as the Mahogany or Stringybark. These eucalypts are common to the Illawarra and are known for the rough, sturdy bark on their trunks and branches. Significantly, the bark was used by Aboriginal people to provide shelter for huts. This is why UOW selected Bangalay as a fitting name for the residence.