This project involved the conversion of the former Newtown Telephone Exchange into a new educational research facility, incorporating seminar and meeting rooms, offices, flexible laboratory spaces and an auditorium. The quality and simplicity of the existing fabric cannot be ignored. The fine street elevation with its arched windows and cornice, and the simplicity and formality of the window penetration in the north and south facades were easy to accept as given, and once this was set the conversion and additions had simple rules to follow.

The result is a sympathetic mediation between contemporary light-weight steel additions and the industrial, masonry fabric of the existing structure which recognizes the cultural and heritage value of the fabric, previous function of early twentieth century technology and the site.

Being locked in by the existing fabric also defined the internal functional planning. Enclosed spaces were located in a central zone to allow the laboratory and office spaces to commandeer the windows and natural light but also expose and experience the spatial quality of the original building which was defined by its high volumes originally filled with telephone exchange racking.

The current carpark was originally occupied by a single storey federation duplex which was demolished, however a positive by-product of this permitted the north façade to breathe, and enable a new entrance statement to be inserted in the Eliza Street frontage.