LatStudios, in partnership with DWP Architects, was engaged to transform an under-used green space at the arrival to the St Lucia University of Queensland campus, into a space that created a sense of arrival to the campus and provided gathering space and a new community garden.

The aim of the garden is to showcase the University of Queensland’s community & sustainability ethos. The site, located at the entrance to the campus serves as a formal arrival to the campus for visitors and presented an opportunity to consider branding and celebration of the campus. The success of the project lies in the transition between formal presentation and arrival experience, to that of the working garden. The project was successfully delivered in under a year to align with the university calendar.

Benefits
LatStudios’ design:

• Celebrates the arrival to the campus with a sculptural UQ motif in weathered steel, set within a formal water element
• Provides a gathering / celebration space and tiered amphitheatre that takes advantage of the site topography and ties into the campus materiality of sandstone and seasonal purple flowers
• Creates outdoor study space supported by power and Wi-Fi
• Provides a productive garden that is accessible by all abilities and accommodates the kindergarten needs as well as university and community groups
• Maximises views and captures breezes across the site
• Creates shaded passive gathering opportunities
• Integrates with the existing campus design aesthetic and materiality
• Enhances accessible connectivity across the site.