The Arts West Redevelopment at the University of Melbourne is the new home of the Bachelor of the Arts. With its world class object based learning laboratories, integrated displays and digital studio, the Arts West development presents a significant opportunity for students to engage with the University’s archives and collections in new and exciting ways, enriching their experience and understanding of different cultures, eras and ideas.

Outside, the visual impact is immediate with representations of images from the University’s rich Cultural Collections. These images are abstract, encouraging exploration and interpretation – like the process of enquiry and revelation which underpins learning and discovery.

The new building, built over 7 levels on Professors Walk opposite the heritage Old Arts Faculty Building, provides the University’s Arts Precinct with a dedicated, high-quality teaching and learning environment. The innovative design directly influences the way the Bachelor of Arts is taught with an emphasis on informal learning spaces and the use of space as a catalyst for the creation of learning communities.

Professor Mark Considine, Dean, Faculty of Arts said the entire building makes an impression inside and out. “The focus of Arts West on immersive, interactive and collaborative learning is unsurpassed in the Asia Pacific region. This is the new force in humanities and social sciences teaching and research,” he said.

“We have been overwhelmed by how our students and the university community have embraced the building and by the number of requests to use the spaces in Arts West... It's also an innovative, creative and fun place that opens people's minds to the rich possibilities of an Arts education.” Joanne Ligouris, Executive Director, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne.

Architectus and ARM Architecture designed and delivered the project in joint venture.

Project Sheet

• Project Sheet