RMIT Bundoora West Student Accommodation

Situated within an Aboriginal heritage site on Clements Drive at its Bundoora West Campus, BWSA (Bundoora West Student Accommodation) is RMIT University’s foray into on campus student housing. Richard Middleton Architects (RMA) was engaged by RMIT to design halls of residence that would offer the best possible model for on-campus living within an increasingly competitive setting. The building's simplistic plan, a skewed cross, is the result of its placement among the ancient redgums that surround it within this culturally significant site. Some of these trees are Keelbundoora Scarred Trees which have been named after a Wurundjeri clan ancestor. This skewed placement avoids harsh solar orientation, with each of its 372 bedrooms designed to encourage its occupants to study at large operable windows, offering views across the landscape. Its folded zinc and bronze facade provides deep reveals whilst minimum standards of lighting and natural ventilation are exceeded to the benefit of its thriving student community.