09 Oct Mannix College, a home away from home

Student accommodation is an ever expanding niche market in Australia. From large CBD towers to more boutique suburban villages, every university is surrounded with multiple living options for current and future students.

Mannix College, located in Clayton, Victoria, provides living services for Monash University students. Earlier this year, after 18 months of construction, the institution’s 16 million dollar refurbishment was completed. Works included a new academic centre, Chapel, seminar and conference facilities, construction of student common rooms and tutorial spaces, refurbishment of existing dormitories, administration areas and dining facilities, and major services upgrades across the College. Previously untouched since the 70s, Mannix College now provides students with modern facilities for a better, more social university experience.

Designed by Melbourne based Law Architects, the re-development features U-MAX™ 100 Centre Double Glazed,  U-MAX™ 100 Front Double Glazed and U-MAX™ thermally broken sashes by EDGE Architectural. EDGE thermally broken frames also accommodate motorised louvre systems on some façades, offering additional ventilation. U-MAX™ will provide students with increased interior comfort, due to the systems superior thermal performance. In addition to thermal benefits, U-MAX™ provides a durable, locally made and aesthetically pleasing window solution, complimentary to the College’s contemporary refurbishment.

Earlier this week, Team EDGE visited Mannix College to see the finished project and take some photos. While much of the development is restricted as private property for student privacy, we were able to see some of our framing systems, located in areas with public access.

Project Team

Architect: Law Architects
Builder: Ireland Brown Constructions 

Law Architects on Mannix College

“After a comprehensive 6 month strategic master planning process for the potential redevelopment of Mannix College, Clayton. Law Architects was invited back to commence design on a $15 million redevelopment.

One of the major challenges of the project was to design and manage construction works within a College that remained operational 24 hours a day. This led to innovative design solutions for building within and between existing residential dwellings and considerable care and consultation in programming the construction work and managing project costs.

Key to the success of this project was our ability to involve and guide multiple stakeholders through the design & construction process and assist in establishing the priorities for redevelopment in a College that had been untouched since the 1970’s. The project consists of: A new Academic Centre (including a Study Centre and Guest Accommodation). A new Chapel, flexible and reconfigurable into different sized congregation, seminar and conference facilities. New infill construction of Student Common Rooms & Tutorial spaces. Refurbishment of existing Dormitories, Administration areas and Dining facilities, and major services upgrades throughout the College.

This has revitalised the College’s offer in the student accommodation market.”