Projects | Education

The University of Melbourne - Ormond College

Ormond College Academic Centre at the University of Melbourne is an excellent example of adaptive reuse. The heritage-listed MacFarland Building was redeveloped into an integrated academic hub for College undergraduates, postgraduates and non-resident community members.  

This project received a prestigious Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) National Architecture Award, as well as three architectural awards from the AIA Victorian Branch.

Structural works by Miglic MacLeod for this project principally involved sensitive alterations of the first-floor slab, which had suffered significant deflections due to the typical concrete grades used at its time of construction (circa 1965).

These alterations included structural interventions to allow large and small penetrations to be cut into the flat plate, for existing solid masonry support walls removed and replaced with relatively slender steel columns with hidden lintels, and for strengthening to eliminate further creep deflections.

An existing in-situ reinforced concrete scissor stair was removed and replaced with a semi-circular, reinforced concrete stair cantilevering from the existing masonry walls.

Other structural and civil works for Ormond College by Miglic MacLeod include:

• New internal steel-framed addition and alterations
• Removal of some existing radial roof truss elements
• External pavement and drainage works.

Awards

Awards won that Miglic MacLeod contributed to include:

• Australian Institute of Architects (National) Awards – National Award for Heritage
• Australian Institute of Architects (VIC) Awards – John George Knight Award for Heritage Architecture
• Australian Institute of Architects (VIC) Awards – Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture
• Australian Institute of Architects (VIC) Awards – Alterations and Additions Award for Public Architecture
• Australian Timber Design Awards – Winner – Interior Fitout (Commercial)
• CEFPI Australasia Region Awards – Commendation – Category 2 Renovation/Modernisation of School/Major Facility
• CEFPI Victorian Chapter Awards – Winner – Category 3 Renovation over $1M.