Our client SAE Institute, a leading educator in creative media industries and part of Navitas, a global education provider required the refurbishment and expansion of their existing Melbourne campus.

The project included the transformation of an adjacent storage warehouse building into a new 300sqm soundproof sound stage used for filmmaking and television productions and was complemented by numerous control rooms that focused on teaching and student collaboration. Further to this, the project expanded the client’s existing facilities to include additional computer labs and seminar spaces to cater for their growing demand and student intake. A double story communal spine, which also served as a student gallery space, tied the two buildings together and was supported by a new library, reception area, collaborative student zones, technical storage areas and the supporting administration and student staff areas.

A new campus entry and student outdoor breakout space was also created to respond to the growing student intake.

The project was procured in 4 stages to work around an operating campus and to minimise disruption. Despite latent conditions, Phillips Smith Conwell’s proactive response ensured the project was delivered on budget without compromise to the outcome.

Since the completion of the project, Phillips Smith Conwell have received positive feedback from key users, staff and high level executives within the SAE Institute and Navitas company on the outcome and transformation of the campus.