| UTS Central | |
| Alternate Names: | Building 2 |
| Status: | Complete |
| Building Type: | Public |
| Architectural Style: | Neo-futurism |
| Cost: | A$368.6 million |
| Owner: | University of Technology Sydney |
| Location: | Ultimo, New South Wales |
| Address: | 61 Broadway, Ultimo 2007 |
| Start Date: | Early 2017 |
| Opened Date: | August 2019 |
| Height: | 66m (217feet)[1] |
| Floor Count: | 17 |
| Floor Area: | 32,400 |
| Elevator Count: | 9 |
| Main Contractor: | Richard Crookes Construction[2] |
| Architecture Firm: | Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp |
| Other Designers: | Lacoste+Stevenson, DJRD |
UTS Central, also known as Building 2, is the building housing the Faculty of Law and UTS Library at the University of Technology Sydney. It is the final building to be opened under the A$1 billion City Campus Master Plan. The building is designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT),[3] [4] with elements of an original podium design by Lacoste+Stevenson in association with DJRD.[5] Construction was overseen by head contractor Richard Crookes Constructions. The building is located next to the UTS Tower in Ultimo. It opened in August 2019.[6]
The building is located next to the UTS tower and opposite Central Park in Broadway. The glass-encased UTS Central is made up of a dual design, with a 10-level twisted tower sitting above a 5-level podium and two underground floors. The UTS Central design is notable for its elegant, curved lines, which provide a complementary contrast to the modular, utilitarian design of the Brutalist UTS Tower.[7] UTS Central is linked directly with the UTS Tower through pedestrian links on levels 3–6.[8]
An intertwining double helix staircase made from Australian steel and curved glass connects levels 4 to 7. The double ribbon spiral design originated with architects FJMT and is inspired by the double helix structure of a DNA molecule, a reminder of how breakthroughs in science and technology have transformed our world. The double helix is one of four ‘architectural’ stairways in the building. All of the helical staircases in the UTS Central building, including the double helix, were designed in collaboration with a leading Australian stair designer and manufacturer.
The building's façade comprises around 3600 glass pieces made from 48 types of glass, the largest measuring 6mby2.3mm (20feetby07.5feetm) and weighing almost 700kg (1,500lb).[9]
The UTS Library relocated from Building 5 to UTS Central in November 2019. The relocation allows the UTS Library to be directly connected to the library retrieval system (LRS) located below the Alumni Green. The UTS Library spans over three levels and is connected to the UTS Reading Room with views out towards Alumni Green and two outdoor terraces.[10]
The design of the UTS Reading Room was inspired by traditional scholarly spaces, with a triple-height atrium opening to a large skylight and an uninterrupted glass façade overlooking Alumni Green.
Located below ground on level 1, the Hive Superlab can accommodate up to 270 students and contains specialist audio-visual facilities (including bone conduction headphones) that allow seven classes to run simultaneously.
The two largest classrooms hold up to 350 students, while a third accommodates 198 students.
The upper levels of UTS Central will be home to the Faculty of Law. It will accommodate offices for the Law faculty, student areas and centres including AntiSlavery Australia and the UTS-UNSW Australasian Legal Information Institute. A moot court and two trial courts with modern technologies found in Australian courts will be available for law students.[11]
A large food court is located on level 3 with 440 seats and eight food outlets.[12]
The building is targeting a 5 star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. UTS Central has been developed with many sustainability features including;[13]