Bioscience Library Forecourt
The University of Queensland
Under a D&C engagement we revitalised the Biological Sciences Building Forecourt, creating a vibrant food and social hub. We collaborated with DM2 Architecture to construct a new café with shaded seating, blending seamlessly with campus architecture. Delivered on budget and on time, the space enhances UQ's campus experience.
- New build
- Live campus environment
- Education
- Hospitality
- Cafes
- Food Courts
- Student Facilites
- Universities
The Brief
The University of Queensland (UQ) envisioned revitalising an underutilised forecourt at the Biological Sciences Building on the St. Lucia campus, aiming to create a dynamic food and social hub for students, faculty, and visitors. The project’s scope involved constructing a new off-form concrete café structure and providing covered and uncovered seating areas to seamlessly integrate with UQ Union’s existing food and beverage tenancies. This project required a builder capable of operating within an occupied campus, ensuring safety and minimising disruption in a live environment, while delivering on budget and schedule. Matching the distinct fluted concrete finishes of surrounding buildings was a further essential design requirement, ensuring the new structure harmonised with the existing architectural aesthetic.
Our contribution
Our team was engaged under a D&C contract to bring UQ’s vision to life. From the outset, we worked closely with DM2 Architecture, providing buildability insights to align the design with UQ’s budget and aesthetic expectations. We constructed the new café structure, installed support columns and ceiling features, and fitted out the seating and dining areas. By implementing thoughtful landscaping, we added greenery and vibrancy to the space, enhancing the campus atmosphere.
Recognising the importance of staying within UQ’s budget, we employed value management techniques to deliver the project within the approved funding. Working in a live campus environment presented unique challenges, particularly balancing safety and accessibility for students and staff amidst construction. Through proactive site management, we minimised disruption and ensured a seamless construction journey, enabling UQ’s ongoing campus operations to continue smoothly.
The remarkable project outcome
Completed on time and within budget, the Biological Sciences Building’s revitalised food court now provides a welcoming, adaptable space featuring shaded and open-air seating. The new café, integrated with existing outlets, establishes a refreshed campus dining destination for quick stops and relaxed breaks. This project exemplifies our commitment to a high-quality, stress-free outcome that aligns perfectly with our client’s vision and budget.