| Vicki Sara Building (Building 7)[1] | |
| Alternate Names: | Science and Graduate School of Health Building UTS |
| Building Type: | commercial |
| Cost: | $154 million (for the Thomas St Project, which also includes Alumni Green and an underground Library Retrieval System) |
| Address: | Corner of Thomas Street and Jones Street, Ultimo |
| Location Town: | Sydney |
| Location Country: | Australia |
| Completion Date: | October 2014 |
| Inauguration Date: | February 2015 |
| Floor Area: | Gross building area: 13,800m2Usable floor area: 8,900m2Six levels (including plant) + 3 underground plant and laboratory levels |
| Main Contractor: | Richard Crookes Constructions |
| Architect: | Durbach Block Jaggers in association with BVN Architecture |
The UTS Vicki Sara Building, also known as the Science Faculty Building, is the building housing the Faculty of Science and the Graduate School of Health in the University of Technology Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. It is the third building to be opened under the plan for $154 million worth of structures designed by Durbach Block Jaggers (DBJ) in association with BVN Architecture constructed by Richard Crookes Constructions.[2] The building is located in the City Campus at 67 Thomas St, Ultimo. It was completed in October 2014 and opened for teaching in February 2015.[3] The building has 8 levels that provide spaces for over 1200 staff and students including teaching, learning and research facilities.[4]
The organic form of the building is inspired by the shapes of grove of trees. The undulatory form of the building is inflected by 700 multi-colored, box-like openings piercing the glossy off-white surface of the façade. The external cladding has been crafted from 75% recycled glass.[5]
A large spiral staircase allows light to penetrate the building from above.[6]
The Super Lab is a 52-metre-long room which can accommodate up to 220 students. It is configured into 12 different classrooms, allowing different classes to be held simultaneously.
The auditorium was designed with conical flask lighting which produce a green hue, thought to encourage creativity and a state of calmness.
Sustainability measures in the building include: a green roof for research, external cladding made out of 75% recycled glass, and a 27,000-litre rainwater tank supply of recycled water for the rooftop garden and the building's toilets. The ventilation system has been integrated with a natural cooling system which reduces energy use by up to 20%.[7]
The Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health Building has used many strategies in order to improve sustainability. Critical environmental practices include:[8]