A new 150-room residential project to be built at Monash University will target Passive House certification.

Located at the university’s Peninsula campus, the Jackson Clements Burrows-designed student accommodation is expected to use a cross laminated timber structural system that could halve the embodied carbon in the building compared to a concrete structure. When combined with roof top solar it will dramatically reduce operating carbon.

The building will also include a rain water harvesting tank and a water sensitive urban design.

A landscaped dry-creek designed by landscape architects Glas Urban will provide additional opportunities for recreation, manage storm water flows during high rain events and connect into the natural waterways of the campus.  

“The new residential facility will not only help to attract more students, but will also provide a sound and attractive residential focus for them to make the campus their base. We are especially proud of the environmental features of this exciting new building, whose design gives effect to our strategy for a sustainable future,” says professor David Copolov AO, pro vice-chancellor (major campuses and student engagement).

Jackson Clements Burrows has also been responsible for a number of other Monash University designs, including the Turner Building Student Accommodation. The development – consisting of 250 studio apartments – received a Commendation at the 2017 Victorian Architecture Awards.

The Peninsula campus project is due to be completed by February 2019.