The $220-million redevelopment of Union Court and University Avenue at the Australian National University (ANU) is underway with key buildings and services expected to be operational by 2019. As the ANU awaits the completion of the revitalisation project, a new pop-up village is being constructed for students in the heart of the university’s Canberra campus.

Designed by Oculus, Craig Tan Architects and Therefore Studio, the pop-up village will feature a series of temporary structures to offer spaces for food, retail, services and events, including a music venue for interstate and international artists. These structures will be made from materials that allow dismantling, recycling and reuse.

According to the design team, the structures feature natural timber finishes and tonal paint colours on wall claddings to complement the existing trees and buildings on the site. The pop-up village will be in place until early-2019, when the redevelopment is expected to be completed.

The $220 million revitalisation project began in 2014, with Canadian landscape architecture firm Civitas creating an urban design framework for the redevelopment the following year. The first phase of development will include a new student services hub, teaching building, health and wellbeing building, pool and gym, student accommodation, an underground carpark, an amphitheatre and retail and hospitality venues.