Several months on, and in parallel to managing the ongoing education and training delivery changes during Covid-19, the Institute has finalised the Learning and Innovation Precinct at the Frankston campus.

The Precinct was officially opened by the Premier Daniel Andrews last October in what was a celebration of the completion of construction of the latest state-of-the-art build.

The design of the $85 million Precinct meets the changing training and education needs of the region, ensuring students have the skills they need to enter the workforce.

The significant works included the refurbishment and revitalisation of the coffee service area on Level 1 creating a brighter, more modern space for staff and students. Level 1 improvements also extended to additional work in the Library and Learning Centre, to make the check-in and study areas more accessible. Level 2 of Building A has also seen changes to the event space in the centre of the floor with a stage, furniture, and dedicated student kitchen and breakout facilities.

Located throughout the Precinct are modern, multi-use workstations and study zones which also extend to outdoor areas to complement the student experience. External study spaces and environmental design encourages student collaboration and in the current climate, socially distanced peer-to-peer connection.

The Precinct’s Trade Centre had been fully refurbished and expanded within the initial project scope, however much of the original roofline of Building B remained. This recent phase two has completed a full replacement roofline, extending to the loading dock, so the entire building now sits under a new roof structure.

The outdoor design includes a range of Australian shrubs and ground coverings. Dressed with oversized potted plants, the expansive walkways that extend the perimeter of the Precinct are also bordered by a vast lawn area and native trees.

Chisholm’s Built Environment Services General Manager, Richard Pratten, said the progress of the project to completion in the first half of this year had been quite an achievement.

“In addition to our usual work, the team has managed the logistics of Covid-19 and this particular project in parallel. It was always going to be a challenge, to complete the works within the first half of 2020 and we’re all pleased with its progression and the final result,’ Mr Pratten said.

“We designed the areas around the student experience, and the spaces are now adaptable, modular and suit the needs of the student of today.”

Chisholm’s Chief Operating Officer, David Colliver said the completion of the work signalled the start of the next stage in Chisholm’s Strategic Campus Masterplan.

“Our focus has been on Frankston for quite a few years now, as the Precinct was a significant undertaking both for us and the State Government, and just prior to that the organisation was committed to developing the Berwick Centre for Health, which was officially opened 18 months ago,” Mr Colliver said.

“This next stage of the Masterplan will see work return to Berwick where we will bring new life to the student hub and central enquiries services centre. In tandem with that work, we are long overdue for a fit-out of Building A at Dandenong campus, which is home to several hundred staff and Business students. It’s vitally important that we accommodate our central business support areas in a more effective way, so that we can realise our full operational potential and efficiencies in collaboration in those spaces.”