Melbourne Connect Bid Coordination
Client: Lendlease
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Year: 2016
A collaborative model for innovation and world-changing ideas
Brief
Melbourne Connect is the University of Melbourne’s landmark innovation precinct, designed to position world-class talent with 21st century technology in the heart of Melbourne. Erected on the former Royal Women’s Hospital site adjacent to the main Parkville campus, the University envisaged Melbourne Connect to drive partnerships between different sectors and disciplines as well as between research and industry. The development opportunity was for the delivery of a significant city precinct, designed for multiple uses across education, research, industry, and public realm, with a new outpost of the internationally acclaimed Science Gallery forming the front door of the precinct.
Approach
Left Bank Co. were invited by Lendlease to aid in the preparation and coordination of their competitive bid, bringing together a large multidisciplinary team led by Lendlease as the bid as developer, builder and co-investor, with the design scheme spearheaded by international architecture practice Woods Bagot. Left Bank Co.'s role included preparing and managing the production program of the bid document itself: we guided all team member and consultants to ensure content met requirements, carried out the role of ‘editor-in-chief’ to manage the strategic bid story and coordinated the design and production of the final bid document in conjunction with the Lendlease graphics team.
Impact
The Lendlease consortium were announced as the successful proponent in 2017, with construction set for completion in 2020. The site will significantly transform this part of Melbourne and has set a benchmark for university and industry collaboration.