RMIT’s Media and Communication students are currently settling into the recently completed $2 million building at the university’s Melbourne campus.

The Spowers architectural firm redesign of Level one, Building Nine is now complete and students in journalism, AV, music, communication and art are currently trialling the new facilities.

Based in Melbourne, Spowers has a long history in infrastructure design—a history which RMIT is familiar with.

The firm was also responsible for the RMIT campus’ redevelopment of Building 88 in 2011 which earned commendations at the World Architecture News (WAN) Educational Awards, the Australian Interior Design Awards and the IDEA Awards in 2011.

Like in Building 88, the design brief for the Building Nine project required an integrated learning space that exceeded industry standards.

^The nine-bay photography studio allows for either natural light or tungsten. Image: spowers.com.au

“We recognised the need for our facilities to exceed industry standard as we expect our staff and students to push the edge of their discipline,” said Professor Martyn Hook, Dean of the School of Media and Communication.

“The investment in robust spaces that can be transformed into active and engaging learning environments is where we see the future of our school,” he explained.

New spaces in the building include a live collaborative venue in the Radio Theatre, a nine-bay photography studio, changing rooms for models, a fully-decked kitchen for food photography and a full-sized cyclorama.

^Changing rooms for models. Image: spowers.com.au

The spaces will mostly be used by students studying journalism, music, AV technology, photography and fine art sound.

The refurbishment was the final phase of a staggered five-year project that transformed Building 9 into a dedicated facility.

The works will facilitate the studio collaboration and consolidation project of the Media and Communication with the School of Art.

^The works form part of the Media and Communication consolidation project and studio collaboration with the School of Art. Image: spowers.com.au

^New spaces include a live collaborative venue in the Radio Theatre, which boasts a moving stage, fully-equipped bio-box, lighting truss and acoustically-treated suspended ceiling. Image: spowers.com.au

Nathan Johnson

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