Robust and inspiring, with an innate understanding of the flexibility essential for reconfiguration.

The University of Otago Library Services Team were looking to refurbish the existing Student Study Space on the Ground floor of the Information Services Building (ISB) on the Dunedin Campus.

  • The ISB Building houses the award winning Central Library and supports a mixture of large and small group study space and individual focused study areas
  • The University invited the five panelists from the Government Property Group furniture contract to participate in a closed tender for the project. Europlan was awarded sole supply of the ISB refurbishment, a student study space providing 200 seated positions
  • The Library Services Team had identified that the existing space didn’t meet the needs of students. It was accommodating too many large group areas and not supporting the increasing demand for small group and individual study space

The furniture in the existing space was tired, uninspiring and failed to support Otago’s vision of providing ‘Excellence in learning and living environments that enrich the experience of students and staff’.

Client
University of Otago – ISB
Completion
January 2018
Spaces
Education
Project Credits
Project lead - Helen Dennis
Project manager - Paul Clucas
Project support - Jenessa Georgica
Photography - Jonny Knopp
projects university otago isb

Planning & Solutions

The furniture in the existing space was tired, uninspiring and failed to support Otago’s vision of providing ‘Excellence in learning and living
environments that enrich the experience of students and staff’.

Working with the University of Otago Library management and the University’s Strategic Architect, we selected products to zone the space, creating a transition from public space at the entrance of the building to more private and focused spaces at the rear.

The furniture needed to fulfil the functions specified within the space plan, providing solutions for individual and group study space. It needed to be robust and inspiring, with an innate understanding of the flexibility essential to the University’s localised reconfiguration requirements.

projects university otago isb

Milestones

The ISB project required specific attention and focus on logistics, delivery and installation. We were working with short time frames, delays at the Port and slight delays due to trades completing their works. 

Delivery was required on site in full prior to year-end and the size and scope of the project required delivery in a container. The challenges at the Port were outside of our control, however we were able to solve this by taking receipt of the container and sending it via rail to ensure we hit the required delivery date.

Trade and construction delays shortened our available installation timings but we are Europlan, we don’t get out of bed for anything less than a proper hustle.

Our robust project management systems and nimble approach to solving challenges allowed us to make critical decisions quickly to ensure we hit project milestones without delays.

  • The project was completed in full, on time and within budget.
The ISB refurbishment project has been really well received by students and staff and the utilisation and activity within the space is further confirmation we’ve delivered a positive result.
projects university otago isb
projects university otago isb
Client Profile
University of Otago is New Zealand’s first University, founded in 1869. The University of Otago is research-led with an international reputation for excellence. It is renowned for its exceptional campus and learning environments that enrich the experience of students and staff.
This year, the University is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

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