Victorian College of the Arts
The design team of Minifie Nixon were awarded the contract after winning a competition for the design of the new Union Library building.
Constructed from concrete columns and slabs, the contemporary Victorian College of the Arts union/library building features a striking bonded polyurethane, three-dimensional stainless steel clad façade of complex geometry to reflect the artistic aspects of its operations.
The building’s design incorporates environmentally sustainable design principles utilising a combination of sun shading, with minimal air conditioning relying on natural ventilation.
This approach was employed to reduce the production of greenhouse gasses as well as minimise initial capital outlay and ongoing running costs.
The project was awarded the 2004 RAIA Institutional Architecture Award.