University of Melbourne learning spaces honoured for innovation in design

12 Dec 2011
The Learning Environments Spatial Lab in the Frank Tate Building and Academic Centre at Ormond College have been honoured with prestigious design awards.

Two learning environments at the University of Melbourne have been honoured by the Victorian chapter of the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFPI), an international organisation representing educators, architects and designers involved in creating improved learning environments.

"The award-winning designs were created to challenge educators and designers to rethink the relationship between pedagogy and space," the University’s Provost, Professor John Dewar said.

The two learning spaces that received this recognition are:

o The Learning Environments Spatial Lab, in the Frank Tate building, which won the award for ’An Education Initiative or a Design Solution for an Innovative Program’

o Ormond College’s Academic Centre, comprising a library, tutorial rooms and study spaces which won the award for ’Renovation over $1M’

The Learning Environments Spatial Laboratory in the Frank Tate Building and the Ormond College’s Academic Centre represent the University’s vision to provide new-generation classrooms and informal learning environments to enhance the student experience.

Learning spaces at the university include lecture theatres, classrooms, laboratories, libraries and IT spaces. These highly-acclaimed learning spaces blend formal and informal elements to allow the spaces to address various needs and preferences of students. Students also use more casual settings like cafes and learning commons to read, research and write.

"Having a range of pleasant, functional and well-designed learning spaces enhances and facilitates student learning in numerous ways, from group work to allowing students to spread out with several books and a laptop," said Professor Dewar.

Ormond College’s Academic Centre was initiated and led by the Master of the College, Rufus Black and designed in conjunction with the Office of the Provost. Professor Dewar said the campus development program is distinguished by the focus it has placed on creating educational rather than architectural solutions.

"This model of educationally-driven campus development has established the University of Melbourne as an international leader in the field of learning environment design."