ERC Library Refurb

Overview

For many students, a successful day of study requires more than just a desk and a power point. It needs spaces to collaborate, places to focus, reliable technology and easy access to the tools that sustain a long day on campus.

The Eastern Resource Centre (ERC) delivers all of that and more.

Refurbished as part of the University’s Student Precinct project in 2021, the ERC has been transformed from a 1960s brutalist library into a contemporary learning destination that supports how students study, connect and learn.

Designed for modern learning

The ERC is one of the clearest examples of how existing campus buildings can be reimagined to meet changing student needs.

Rather than constructing a new facility, the ERC revitalisation project adapted the original structure, transforming it into a diverse learning environment that includes modern library services, a technology hall, project rooms, collaborative study areas, physical collections and a postgraduate research centre.

The design reflects the changing role of libraries in higher education. Flexible service pods support a side-by-side teaching model, while a variety of study spaces allow students to choose how and where they work throughout the day.

Morning: settle in and get started

A student's day at the ERC might begin with a coffee from one of the nearby food outlets before heading into the library to plan the day ahead.

Inside, light-filled spaces, comfortable furnishings and modern technology create an environment that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive.

The ground floor offers a variety of spaces for casual study and collaboration, alongside a distinctive design feature known as the "creek-let" seating. Winding through the interior, it references the historic Bouverie Creek watercourse that once flowed across the site, connecting the building's contemporary purpose with the history of Country and place.

Midday: collaborate and connect

As classes finish and group assignments begin, students can move into project rooms and technology-enabled spaces designed to support collaborative learning.

Bookable rooms, Zoom facilities and extended display monitors allow teams to work together seamlessly, whether they're preparing presentations, working through assignments or connecting with classmates remotely.

Afternoon: find your focus

The upper levels of the ERC provide calm study environments designed for concentration and deep work. These spaces offer views across the Billibellary Welcome Ground and create a sense of retreat.

The third floor is reserved for graduate students, providing a dedicated space that supports advanced study and research.

Throughout the building, design details subtly connect users to culture, community and Country. Carpet patterns on the upper levels reference Indigenous knowledges, local flora and fauna, and global themes, creating spaces that are both functional and meaningful.

Reimagining an existing space

The refurbishment of the ERC demonstrates the value of investing in existing campus infrastructure.

By adapting and repurposing a well-known campus building, the project has preserved the strength of the original structure while creating a contemporary learning environment tailored to the needs of today's students.

Alongside the broader Student Precinct project, the ERC showcases how thoughtful estate planning and design can enhance the student experience, support new ways of learning and ensure campus spaces continue to evolve with the University's community.