Are you a student at ANU? Do you have questions about Union Court? We’ve heard you and have put together responses for some of your most frequently asked questions. Let us know if we’ve missed anything at reunion.info@anu.edu.au
What are we doing about sustainability planning?
The project aspires to meet the sustainability challenges of the present and future through a holistic and comprehensive sustainability strategy and is targeting an ecological efficiency performance that is consistent with the ecological limits of the planet.
To achieve this vision, the project is utilising the concept of the Ecological Footprint and total life cycle carbon footprint. The Ecological Footprint is an evidenced based measure which calculates humanities demand on nature, giving an understanding of how much we have, how much we use, and who uses what and communicates it tangibly in terms of hectares per person (and Planet Equivalent).
A development that is estimated to have a planet equivalent score of one or less is considered to be truly sustainable. ANU recognises these ecological limits and this project has set a target of 0.5 planet equivalent performance, positioning it as a world’s best practice leader in the context of sustainable campuses.
In order to achieve this target, cutting edge sustainability measures will be applied across all aspects of the precinct with a focus on areas that make the greatest contribution to its ecological footprint. Elements for life cycle assessment include: land bio-capacity, materials of construction, infrastructure, operating energy, water and transport as well as consumption (i.e. operational expenditure and services).
Does this mean the University will be a building site the whole time I’m here?
Building on the Reunion Court revitalisation project will begin in July 2017 and will be finalised when Semester 1 begins in 2019.
The building works are being rolled out as quickly as possible to avoid disruption.
How is the new teaching and learning building going to compensate for the loss of the large lecture theatres?
The new Collaborative Learning Environments (CLE) Building in Union Court will contain six floors of teaching spaces with a total capacity of 920 seats, with a variety of flexible configuration options. The floor layouts include:
- A teaching superfloor with a seating capacity of 320.
- One space for 120 people, seven spaces for 60 people and two spaces for 30 people. However, flexible reconfigurations will be available.
In addition to these formal teaching spaces, the CLE building incorporates an additional 1,076 seats for informal learning and student commons to address the dramatic undersupply of such spaces now and to ease pressure on the Chifley library facilities.
Teaching will also be supported through the facilities in the new Culture and Events Building which includes:
- A large flat space for conferences and exhibitions with retractable seating for 500 people.
- A small events space with retractable seating for 200 people.
- A cinema with banked fixed seating and a capacity for 300 people, and
- A drama theatre with capacity for 150 seats.
A podcast containing more detailed information about the teaching and learning spaces in the new Union Court can be found here.
Will clubs have their own spaces?
Clubs and societies will have access to the venues in the Pop-Up including the ANUSA and PARSA boardroom, 200 seat chill out space (similar to Brian Kenyon) and the West Village Commons space which seats about 300 people.
When Union Court is finalised clubs and societies will have access to dedicated space in the new student commons.
Will there be live gigs and events in the Pop-Up Village?
The Pop-Up Village features a medium-sized capacity venue which will host regular local, national and international gigs as well as campus-led events including public lectures and student festivals.
Will drinks prices in the Pop-Up bar be affordable for students?
The business running the new bar (The Walt and Burley Group) have been talking to students to make sure the right mix of price, style and offerings will be available to meet our community’s needs.
Will food in the Pop-Up Village be affordable?
There will be a range of food and drink options available from quick cheap bites for students on the run through to more substantial meals.
Will the pop-up and new union court be accessible for people with disabilities?
The Pop-Up is a single level construction built to universal design principles. The Pop-Up decking, floor and amenities will accessible and inclusive.
A significant aim of the Union Court revitalisation project is to create a predominantly single level precinct that provides a more accessible space for people with a disability and other groups including the elderly, children and people with illnesses.
What accessibility plans does ANU have for Barry Drive?
Teaching spaces in Barry Drive are universally accessible on the first floor or via lift to the second floor. An audio hearing loop will also be installed. A limited number of disabled parking spaces will be available underneath the Barry Drive building. More information will be released about this when the Semester 2 timetable is finalised.
Is ANU privatising everything?
The Pop-Up Village will include a mix of campus favourites as well as new offerings from popular small Canberra businesses like Mr Papa and Brod Dogs.
With a mix of old, new and small business vendors, the Pop-Up Village will give the community a taste of the campus experience they can expect when the new Union Court opens in Semester 1 2019.
Why are we losing the common lunch hour?
This will only be for the period of the construction of a new Union Court and will return in Semester 1 2019.
How is the new student accommodation being designed?
The Union Court project will include accommodation for approximately 430 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
At this stage, the University is considering relocating the Fenner Hall community into the new Union Court. Fenner leadership and the community of Fenner have been engaged in a discussion about the potential of moving to Union Court, and there is a Fenner Hall representative on the Student Accommodation Working Group. If the decision is made to go ahead with Fenner moving to Union Court, Fenner residents will be involved in the design process for the new Hall.
Is there a master plan for student accommodation?
Student accommodation forms an important part of the University’s 2017 Strategic Plan. ANU aims to meet the demand for on-campus student accommodation by 2021.
What will the amphitheatre on Sullivans Creek be used for?
The amphitheatre is a 300 seat outdoor venue that can be used as a picturesque place to enjoy lunch, a unique space for events or impromptu performances, or a tranquil place to sit by the creek and take a break.
Why does Sullivans Creek look so full in the artist impression images?
The University intends to create a weir adjacent to the Sullivans Creek Amphitheatre. This will be similar to the weir already in place – the steps near the Australian Centre on China in the World – that allows the creek to hold a body of water or release in cases of extreme weather.