The structure is complete!

Above: The slab slab is poured (Level 8b - the last half of the roof)

This has been a big week. On Wednesday the second half of the roof slab was poured (see above). This means that the entire structure is now complete. Of course, there is still much to do to complete all external finishes, internal walls and services and fit-out. But progress has been excellent. The photos show, rather than tell, the story of the progress.

Above: View of the eastern facade from Anzac Parade

Above: : Level 1 corridor (gyproc well advanced Levels 1-3)


Above: External wall finishes underway


Above: View of the inner courtyard looking east to the campus


Above: View of the northern facade from NIDA

The structure is complete!

View from the top

As the structure nears completion (just two weeks to go!), the views from the building have become spectacular. Here are a sequence of photos from the common room of a 7th floor apartment on the north west corner.

Above: View of the city skyline looking north over NIDA

Above: Looking towards Balmain and Pyrmont (Anzac Bridge central in the distance)

Above: Kensington to the north west

Above: Kingsford to the south west

Above: Kingsford to the south

View from the top

Meet Kim Scruton

Kim Scruton is working with me as Executive Assistant. She is a former resident of New College where she filled various roles including elected President of the New College Students' Association and Residential Adviser. Kim graduated recently with 1st Class Honours in Medical Science. She is working with me on the marketing and promotion of the New College Village. She will also be helping to develop policies for the NCV community. Her knowledge of the New College community is helping her to bring a unique 'user' perspective to the NCV that will help us to deliver a vibrant and supportive community when we open in January 2009.

Above: Kim checking out progress on the NCV

Meet Kim Scruton

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

The View from NIDA

The latest photo of the northern elevation of the New College Village taken from NIDA. This shot shows the three storey bridge between the East and West wings. This section of the building has a games room on the ground floor and two floors of studios. Residents will enter the building off the University Mall through the undercroft of this section of the building.

The View from NIDA

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

A great aerial shot of the Village

This shot taken from the UNSW L5 building opposite New College gives a good sense of the bulk of the building and the progress.

For UNSW alumni a note on the L5 building. It replaced the old bowling alley which was later Unisearch House. The University has built a wonderful 8 storey high building on site (actually our builder for the NCV - Lipman actually built it!!) which houses the University Foundation Studies Program for overseas students and also a major IT research centre (NICTA). UNSW sold the building last year and those parts of UNSW still using it have leased the space back. The building has won many architectural awards. In a review Architecture Australia comented that the building "is flawless, both in execution and conception".

A great aerial shot of the Village