Our Campus in the 21st Century
A new lens to plan and evaluate projects for the 21st century campus
Our Campus in the 21st century (OC21) is the formal response to the University of Melbourne’s strategic plan Growing Esteem. It enables the University community to interpret and guide the practical implementation of the strategic plan, through a quality framework.
The OC21 prism is the planning and communication tool that supports and enables University of Melbourne projects, initiatives and partnerships to evolve and excel. It supports projects of all shapes and sizes, from the location and design of a park bench to the planning of a precinct.
The five major themes
The five major themes of OC21 are integral to how the University of Melbourne will plan for the future, developing a high-quality campus-based experience for diverse communities with activities that are well integrated throughout our research, teaching and learning environments.
Balance technological innovation with heritage values
Demonstrate leading practice through world-class facilities and ecologically-designed buildings that are sympathetic with our built heritage.
Maintain campus character and ceremonial spirit
Ensure ongoing respect for our distinctive ceremonial spaces, illuminating their character and their social, cultural and environmental significance through contemporary interpretation.
Integrate consistent and flexible virtual tools
Increase the integration of mobile and digital teaching tools with built forms to support new learning platforms that encourage participation from global audiences.
Encourage collaboration across precincts
Facilitate intellectual collaboration between people with different skills on campus or around the world, seamlessly and intuitively.
Support clusters of activity on campuses
Enable clusters of related disciplines on-the-ground with a range of services and facilities in close proximity so that the needs of staff, students and visitors are well accommodated.
Develop industry and community links
Promote the interface between academia and business to address social, economic and environmental challenges by developing precincts that are strategically located.
Support vibrant communities 24 x 7
Ensure a diversity of round-the-clock activities, encouraging new ways to share knowledge through programming, curated events, social enterprises, and initiatives.
Enhance multi-sensory engagement
Aim for a unique and distinctively UOM experience across online or on-campus activities, with a commitment to opportunities for people to see, think, listen, smell, taste and touch.
Expand accommodation choices and student lifestyle options
Provide flexibility and choice to enhance the all-round student experience with new accommodation options on campus or off campus that include communal spaces.
Design navigable and accessible environments to strengthen capabilities
Develop consistent wayfinding methods across the various environments with effective signposts that invite interaction with our buildings, experiences and events.
Connect our city and satellite campuses as we scale up online activities
Foster seamless engagement with the city while ensuring recognition of our buildings and stronger connections with our satellite campuses.
Invite new audiences of people to connect
Entice visitors with our wealth of galleries, libraries, theatres and open spaces that encourage participation and use by diverse communities with buildings that visibly convey a sense of what goes on inside.
Inspire outdoor landscapes and green spaces
Maintain a mix of small courtyards and large open spaces with a diversity of plants, comfortable meeting areas as well as atmospheric places during peak periods.
Encourage adaptation and re-use of older buildings
Adapt spaces to accommodate multiple users for different needs so that diverse communities can access our world-class facilities, enabling us to grow in the most sustainable way.
Plan for healthy and safe environments
Create experiences that support the health and wellbeing of our communities by day and night with places to get fit, seek shelter from the sun or rain, take a breath of fresh air or access good food.
The central drivers
The central drivers of OC21 are intrinsic to the University of Melbourne's vision and values; underpinning the five major themes of the OC21 prism.They are crucial to how we approach growth and change in every area of what we do and how we do it.
- Local character and identity across each precinct with international best practice that strengthens our brand
- Methods to encourage partnership opportunities in research that benefits local and global communities
- Environments that are designed to encourage interconnections between our city-based and satellite campuses
- Seamless practical connections between physical and virtual experiences as we evolve and grow
- Stand out exceptional experiences in physical and virtual environments to maintain our point of difference
- Methods to engage diverse communities in activities through campus-based or online notifications and platforms
- The creation of a mix of attractive and comfortable internal and external spaces
- Acknowledgement of innovative and diverse use of indoor and outdoor spaces
- Spaces that encourage accessibility and safety
- A continuity and sequence of spaces that stimulate people socially and culturally
- Social and cultural activities that engage people in the intellectual life of our communities
- Demonstrated commitment to our Reconciliation Action Plan through a holistic approach
- Facilities that are flexible and will function well over time while reducing our environmental footprint
- Campus-based buildings and spaces that embrace recycled and sustainable materials
- Design solutions that enhance the campus experience by demonstrating leadership in sustainability practices
The consultation
During 2015 and 2016, a number of workshops were held across all campuses with staff and students to introduce the central drivers and themes within the prism, encouraging the interaction between people and ideas.
This consultation process provided the feedback needed to refine the material. Nearly 100% of people we engaged with were positive and interested in the process. Creswick, Dookie, Werribee, Shepparton, Burnley, Southbank and Parkville campuses all contributed to how OC21 could be used by faculties and departments to support their work.
Some examples of how University of Melbourne and its partners could use the prism are listed here:
- To support a brief with a consultant
- To generate ideas for marketing or promotional materials
- To guide the creation of a mission or vision statement
- To guide the development of a proposal
- To plan a workshop
- To stimulate discussion around new projects or initiatives
- To include in formal requirements such as an Expression of Interest or a Request for Tender