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Beginning mid 2007, Archaus Architetcs Ltd were commissioned to provide a new concept within the existing Cumberland house and McKenzie Building on Willis Street.
The concept called for the ability to continue using the buildings as student accommodation throughout the university calendar year, while having the flexibility to be adapted to suit short stay public accommodation between November and March.
Due to the short window of opportunity to proceed with work over the recent 2008 student holidays, it was decided to refurbish the Cumberland and McKenzie lobbies, and accommodation on Levels 2,3,4 and 9 initially, as well as provide services infrastructure throughout the entire buiulding to enable systematic plug in of future floors as they are completed.
Archaus worked closely with ING Australia and Graphics Surgery in Sydney to provide a comprehensively branded package, giving a tired building a new lease of life. Bold colours, simple clean finishes and compact but well designed bedroom joinery were designed, with the Level 9 units also having the ability to change from two single rooms into one king size room via the introduction of a removable wall that can be slid and hidden away.
What was achieved is a solution that exceeds the clients expectations, as well as providing a robust outcome that caters to the two user groups of university accommodation and public budget summer hotel accommodation.
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