Wednesday, 20 June 2012
UWA has long aspired to offer more on-campus collegiate residential accommodation to students who choose to study at this University. With cranes hovering over Currie Hall and construction well under way, this aspiration will soon become a reality.
The construction of new student accommodation at Currie Hall will see 515 new, high-quality self-contained studio and one bedroom apartments, multi-purpose rooms, an on-site café and modern facilities constructed within the college grounds.
"We believe students who live in residential accommodation close to campus have a richer experience," says Director of UWA Student Residences and Currie Hall Principal Chris Massey.
"The construction of high-quality student accommodation is aligned with UWA's priority to enhance the student experience and be counted among the world's top universities by 2050," says Mr Massey.
"It's widely accepted that when students live and learn on campus, they become more engaged with the University's intellectual and cultural activities.
"Our new facilities will not only provide affordable high-quality accommodation but there will also be significant amenity areas and common spaces, such as media, music and games rooms, so that students can mix and develop lifelong friendships," says Mr Massey.
"Sustainable development has underpinned the philosophy of the proposal and by having more students living on campus it reduces the need for cars, with greener transport options such as cycling being encouraged.
"We've also made the landscape a feature of the development, with the design of the new buildings developed around trees of significance.
"UWA has such a great reputation for its beautiful buildings and grounds, and we want to add to the ‘campus in the park' environment," Mr Massey said.
The new development is supported by the Federal Government under the National Rental Affordability Scheme which stipulates that the student accommodation will be let below market rental rates.
UWA has accepted State Government conditions to give priority to students from a low socio-economic background, Indigenous students, students with disabilities, those from rural and isolated areas who need to relocate to Perth to study, as well as women enrolled in non-traditional disciplines such as engineering, computer science and postgraduate study.
Recently the Federal Minister for Small Business, Housing and Homelessness Brendan O'Connor toured the site that comprises three new buildings.
Earlier this year 24 rooms were opened as Stage One and the Stage Two 515 room expansion will offer similar style bedrooms to increase the overall population at the Hall to 750. Feedback from students on the 24 room expansion has been very positive.
Currie Hall resident and fourth year UWA student, Jake, said the new rooms are brilliant.
"The key part for me is the room has a living, study and a kitchen area but it feels quite separated which is nice. I get a great sense of independence but have all the benefits and experiences of living in a great community which is on campus.
"It has certainly made me think how good the Hall will be next year when we have a lot more rooms like this one," Jake said.
Chris Massey anticipates that the first students will move into the new accommodation early in 2013, coinciding with the University's Centenary year.
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Published in Uniview Vol. 31 No. 2 Winter 2012
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