The design considers the following:

• Connection at lower level and upper level to existing floor levels

• Easy movement throughout building and across learning areas

• Public facing entry to the South of the building for visitors, exhibitions, day to day in and out

• Celebration of the abundant natural context of the site views, trees, connection to landscape

• Recognition of the existing architectural quality and signature of the existing Art Building with some angles and materials

• Recognition of the character of the existing buildings in materials and scale

• Design solution that celebrates craft, design, artistry and industry in its materials, composition and detail

• Spatial sizes and relationships that facilitate flexibility of use now and into the future

• Design that is dynamic, generous and engaging to inspire students and staff

• Spaces that are or high amenity, that are comfortable and uplifting for staff and students to spend their time

• Campus style design that celebrates staff and students “learning together”

We have considered sustainability from the earliest stages of the design process. We will also work with a specialist consultant to maximise thermal performance of the building and reduce environmental impact over lifetime of the building. Key sustainability initiatives for Concept Design:

• Leaving large trees in place on the site

• Orientation of the internal “public space” to the North façade of the building to maximise shared solar gains

• Consideration of concrete and other internal “mass” to receive solar heat gain in winter with low sun angles

• Window shading inherent in design of masonry external façade. Will be developed with specialist engineering services in the Sketch Design phase to model heat gain and loss

• Reduction of windows on West and reduction of exposed glazing generally

• Maximising Southern light in teaching spaces for daylight “even light” (not sunlight)

• Consideration of natural light to all spaces. Ideally multiple sources of natural light for each space

• Consideration of long views out of the building to landscape beyond

• Promotion of interior views with transparency across teaching spaces and to external landscape

• Northern facing skylight to capture heat and sunlight into building in winter

• Potential to install PV cells which may provide power for internal thermal systems

• Can consider “night purge” and other initiatives in future refinements

• Reuse of components of existing building repurposed to reduce waste and acknowledge legacy of previous Architect