By Daniel Brookes

Let’s face it, if we want to catch up with friends, grab a quick coffee or get a bit of quiet study done, Hughes Plaza is probably the last place we’d think of. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve never minded passing through it on route to a lecture, dropping in to Bank SA or sussing out the odd promotional event, but generally the less time spent in that dreary concrete courtyard, the better.

However, that’s all about to change – the site is now well under construction, and eventually will form a new $34.5 million student ‘hub’. Late last year, plans for the development were unveiled to address an ongoing lack in student facilities. The preliminary designs provide new hang-out spaces, study zones, computing facilities, a new library entrance and other student services. The complex will be constructed over three levels, providing over 3000m2 of flexible student space.

Paul Duldig, Vice President of Services and Resources, promoted the development as aiming “to provide the best on-campus experience within the Australian national tertiary education sector for all students”.

Early concept images offer a promising glimpse of this. The whole of Hughes Plaza will be roofed in with a transparent membrane, allowing natural light to pass through; various student services, retail stores and seating areas will occupy level four; and a staircase to the (underground) level three leads to quiet study zones and a new entrance to the Barr Smith Library. The project team are also considering adding a mezzanine on level five, connecting the architecture school to the student space below.

But with construction underway, these plans seem a little vague, as the university’s project delivery staff are currently unsure exactly how the plaza will be fitted out. An ambitious building timeframe, beginning this summer and scheduled to end by O-Week 2011, means construction of the external structure will begin before the interior has been decided on. The university is currently exploring a range of options for the interior fit-out. Casual lounges, single desks, group work stations, laptop-friendly pods, and computing facilities are all being considered under a consultation process. Other considerations include information kiosks, entertainment areas, food services, student administration, and 24/7 wireless networks. “We realise students don’t just study regular 9 to 5 hours”, says Kendra Backstrom, a senior coordinator of the development. She explains the team are looking to include services accessible outside regular office hours.

The first stage of consultation discussed aspects of uni life that need improvement, and how the new hub could address these issues. Held during swotvac, the attendance to the student consultation sessions was not high, with only 25 students turning up. However, their suggestions included new admin services, computing facilities, and even food outlets.

The consensus was that Student Services, or some central information desk, should be positioned in the new hub. The need for a manned IT-support desk was agreed upon, with the possibility of encouraging IT students to volunteer on the help-desk as a resume booster. “Most IT students know more about computers than the support staff”, one student noted.

Other strongly supported ideas included a quality café (specifically not operated by the Wine Centre), chill-out lounge spaces, a student union reception desk, and a new International Student Centre. A large scale projector screen to promote upcoming uni events was also suggested, as many students agreed they would rather view event details on a public screen than be constantly emailed.
Admittedly, the attendance to the student consultation sessions was not high. In fact, about 25 students turned up in total. Although considering this was during the middle of swotvac, it was not entirely surprising.

You have to wonder whether design aspects will be compromised to meet to the tight deadline. In a presentation to staff and students in late 2009, one academic member queried the project’s “indecent haste”, while senior architecture lecturer questioned how realistic the timeframe was. The construction of the new student hub will be inconvenient for many, and minimising the building time will make it as painless as possible. However, it does seem mysterious why consultation did not begin earlier.

Of particular concern is the lack of greenery in the concepts. One of the few things Hughes Plaza had going for it was its’ plants, which softened the harsh concrete paving and adjacent architecture. When queried, one project delivery staff member suggested they would look at sticking in “a green wall or something”. Some academic members at the presentation became infuriated at the lack of consideration of this matter. While a roof garden is not feasible due to the state of the roof sealing, some form of potted greenery or green wall would be desirable in the new hub.

Another concern is the acoustic quality of the interior space, as the floor plan appears somewhat like an airport departure lounge or food-court. However, Paul Duldig assures that the architects are carefully considering the matter.

In all fairness, the development team seems genuinely keen to receive student feedback on the proposal. Volunteers including union representatives and interested students are providing ongoing feedback as part of a long-term consultation process.

The initial design plans are up for display on the University of Adelaide website, and a new ‘consultation wall’ currently being designed by third year architecture students means everyone will be able to provide feedback on proposals. The wall will feature in the Barr Smith Library on level three, and is expected to be revealed mid-March.

While there are points that need consideration, the new student hub is an important development for the university that will provide accessibly student services and improved social gathering spaces. With the right facilities and exciting architecture, the complex has the potential to reinvigorate a particularly drab space into a lively communal centre.

Find out more info about the project, including concept images and floor plans at: www.adelaide.edu.au/space/hughes