The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology School of Fashion and Textiles has a new-look campus, with students to return in semester one to a refurbished building at the RMIT University Brunswick campus.

The $8 million refurbishment and fitout was designed by Spowers and Phooey and carried out across two buildings known as 511 and 516.

Alterations to Building 516 formed the bulk of the project and the 2,500 sqm space now comprises a 190-seat Interactive Lecture Theatre, new audio visual equipment, sewing machine rooms, teaching studios and breakout lounges. It has also received modifications to its existing façade.

Building 511, Level 3 has been refurbished to provide staff with new office space.

Notable design features include the full height bronzed mirror glazing that has been added to the facades and the extensive use of timber joinery throughout.

This is the second project designed by Spowers for RMIT. The Melbourne-based firm was also responsible for the RMIT Media and Communication school campus overhaul in April 2014, the RMIT Vietnam Academic Building 20 and RMIT Building 88.