Located in the heart of Sydney, UTS is an urban university that is designed to fit within its urban context while creating its own separate and unique identity as a space for students to learn. The Podium Extension acts as both a wall to the university as well as a window into the heart of the bustling activity. Inside is a flexible and dynamic space for students to meet that is capable of accommodating various programs. Also included in the building is an experimental cinema and a bookstore. At night, movies, announcements, art, and other media will be projected onto the glass facade.
Daylighting is naturally the most prominent feature of the structure — sunlight filters throughout the interior, making the space feel warm and welcoming. The glass is sealed in order to minimize noise and pollution, and a frit pattern is applied to the glass above the first level and the awnings to reduce solar heat gain. Meanwhile the roof is covered in a lacy pattern of green spaces and atriums that also serve as light wells and ventilation channels. These features cover about 80% of the roof and provide excellent insulation while offering an attractive view of the surrounding tall buildings.
[1]
Australia-based Lacoste + Stevenson were recently awarded the first place prize in a competition to design the new UTS Podium Extension at the University of Technology in Sydney. The light, transparent, and inviting three-story building is covered in glass, creating a welcome contrast to the stark and brutal UTS Tower in the background. Like a light and airy cloud, the Podium Extension acts as the front door to the University and leads to the heart of the campus. Ample daylighting, natural ventilation…
[2]
The new podium will serve as a buffer zone for the university, acting as a gate and creating visual contrast to the stark tower behind it.
[3]
Covered completely in glass, the podium extension is like a window in the heart of the university. At night art, movies, and other media are projected onto the glass facade.
[4]
Inside, the space is filled with light and is airy and welcoming to students as well as visitors.
[5]
An open floor plan and flexible spaces allow the building to be used for various programs and meetings.
[6]
Also included inside the building is an experimental cinema and a book shop.
[7]
The roof is a lacy network of green spaces and atriums comprising 80% of the floor, which provides extra insulation and an attractive space as seen from above.
[8]
The new podium will strike a total contrast to the existing brutalist tower behind.
[9]
The UTS Tower in the background is heavy, dark and secretive. The new podium is light, airy and welcoming.
[10]
A new type of structure accommodating ventilation and circulation shafts, acting as lightwells.
[11]
The columns consist of a sandwich 2 steel sheets with a gap of 50mm filled with water for thermal mass and fire protection.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]