Melbourne Connect is a purpose-built innovation precinct created by the University of Melbourne (UoM) in partnership with Lendlease Development and delivered by Lendlease Building on the site of the former Royal Women’s Hospital. The 73,000sqm precinct features a series of interconnecting buildings arranged around a central landscaped public open space, known as ‘Womin Djerring’ (Come Together). Melbourne Connect is a transformational innovation precinct project for the University of Melbourne, providing facilities for university staff and students, researchers, established local and international businesses, and start-up companies to mix and collaborate. Melbourne Connect is enlivened by the inclusion of student accommodation, retail and public open space. Located in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne and adjacent to the main Parkville campus of the university, it achieves the highest standards of excellence in both design and sustainability. Porous, open and engaging to the community, Melbourne Connect and its programs are designed to help academics, researchers, industry, and government to work together to unlock digitally driven, data-enabled and socially responsible solutions to tackle the challenges facing society.

With its bold vision, Melbourne Connect also presented a series of construction and engineering challenges, which were overcome by an innovative mindset and collaborative approach.

Photography by Dianna Snape