A campus architectural icon, the four-level Lincoln Building has undergone an internal and façade refurbishment with the upper floor’s new tenants, the Higher Degree Research Office and Research Services, moving into the new space.

Construction on the project commenced on 9 May 2019 and was completed this August. The refurbishment encompassed the initial façade design phase, completion of the façade cladding, installation of the fit-out and finally, moving the building tenants into the space.

In comparison with the original Brutalist-style Lincoln Building constructed in 1972, the refurbished building’s internal design has provided a brightness and a sense of space. The new façade has highlighted and respected the striking original design and opened the building up to increased natural light.

“The intent of the new space has been to provide a new workplace noting the challenge of the existing slab to slab heights,” says Property Director, Mark Broomfield.

“A key consideration was maintaining the ziggurat of the original building while opening and activating the ground floor onto the courtyard as a food and beverage destination. This area will contain six retail and beverage outlets which we will see open in January 2021.”

The new tenants are the first to experience the new view over the Central Courtyard and have nothing but glowing reviews of the Lincoln Building space.

“My team was previously based in C5C [17 Wally’s Walk], so we like everything about the new building. The light, space, location, views across the new campus common and watching the new building take shape. It is a calm space in which to work and the layout facilitates interaction with colleagues,” says Simon Handley, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Higher Degree Research).

Mark is thrilled to hear the positive thoughts on the refurbished building, from both the building’s occupants and others passing by.

“The strategy, as part of the overall central courtyard revitalisation, was to refurbish the building to provide a further 50-year life as well as complement the other buildings around the courtyard, new and existing,” explains Mark.

“The design teams and builders have excelled themselves and recreated a landmark building at the University’s heart.”

Find out more about the new Central Courtyard Precinct on the Campus Development Plan website.