The finishing touches - NCV set to open 5th January 2009

PLEASE NOTE: This is an old post, the NCV opened on the5th January 2009

With just days till the handover of the NCV the final touches are being applied. The inside of the building is completed, the landscaping will be completed in a few days and the last few jobs such as final cleaning, distributing the soft furnishings and completing signage is almost done. The shots below show how wonderful the building looks. Note that the sign was affixed by abseiling down the main blade - not a job I would have liked.

We are still taking applications so it isn't too late to get a room in the finest university accommodation on this campus and probably at any Australian university.

Above: View of the acoustic screen and main Anzac Parade signage

Above: NCV South Eastern elevation

Above: The north eastern elevation of the NCV

Literally a million dollar feature of the NCV is its wonderful acoustic screen on the front of the building to ensure that the building is VERY quiet. It also serves as a major aesthetic element to the building. Below are some close-ups of this significant architectural feature.

The finishing touches - NCV set to open 5th January 2009

Latest Shots

Above: View of the building from Anzac Parade

Lipman is still making good progress on the New College Village. As previously reported the structure is completed. As well:

* Internal walls are now completed for all floors
* Most gyproc internal walls are completed
* Tiling of bathrooms and most fittings are completed to level 1
* Tiling is under way on levels 2 & 3
* Windows are installed to Level 6
* The installation of elevators is well advanced
* Most electrical, mechanical and haudraulic services are finished to Level 7
* External surface finishing is well progressed
* Sealing of the roof is close to completion

Above: Shot from the top of the L5 building

Above: Waterproofing the roof slab

Above: Shot of the northern facade from NIDA

Above: The kitchenettes are being installed in the studios

Latest Shots

The Village Reaches the 6th Floor

Above: View of the structure from the UNSW L5 building (opposite New College)

Progress continues to be excellent and the structure is now completed up to the 6th floor. Work has commenced on the 7th floor slab floor and so we are within about 2-3 weeks of seeing the structure completed. The key milestones continue to be met for completion by December.

There has been other good progress in addition to the structure:

• The external wall finishes have started
• Internal walls are well advanced on Levels 1 and 2 and have commenced on Level 3
• First floor windows are being fitted and walls are being lined on Level 1
• Electrical, hydraulic and mechanical services are also well advanced on Levels 1 to 3
• Level 4 has also been stripped ready for internal walls to commence
• Work has also commenced on the foundations for the glass screen on the Anzac Parade facade

Above: View of the NCV from NIDA (Southern facade)

The building has now developed quite a presence in the area and can be seen for some distance. Views from the upper floors are also impressive with the city skyline (and even Anzac Bridge) visible from the Northern side of the building and Botany Bay visible to the south.

Above: Views to the west from the 6th Floor

The Village Reaches the 6th Floor

Progress on the services and finishing

While we've been preoccupied with the structure in recent times (for obvious reasons) it's encouraging to see lot's of work occurring inside the building. Internal walls are going up on Levels 1, 2 and 3, windows are being fitted and all services are progressing with well advanced plumbing, air-conditioning and electrical work on Levels 1 and 2.

The structure itself is up to the 6th floor with both the 6A and 6B slab floors due to be poured next week. Rain has disrupted things this week a little but hopefully this will still occur next week. The complete structure is due for completion by mid July (about 6 weeks).

Work on the marketing of the Village is also well progressed with a new website to be launched in a few weeks and promotional work already occurring. Applications are coming in and some places have been offered. I am now beginning to think through the specifics of the pastoral care and academic support that will need to be in place by January.


Above - Looking out to the inner courtyard from the Level 3 south-west common room


Above - Walls going in on Level 3









Left - Walls and insulation going in on Level 1

Progress on the services and finishing