Flinders University Physical Sciences Teaching and Learning Spaces

Company: Architectus
Designer: Diana Rosenthal, Andrew Schunke, Lauren Spagnoletti and Carlo Pasquale
Builder: Built.
Joiner: A Class Joinery
Photographer: David Sievers Photography
Location: Adelaide, SA
Two formal lecture theaters and 3 smaller tutorial rooms have been converted into a large flexible teaching space for up to 90 people, and two smaller rooms for up to 30 people each. Flexible furniture and considered services locations allow the rooms to be reconfigured in a multitude of ways to suit various teaching styles, whilst enabling the spaces to be used for out-of-class activities.
The palette has been kept deliberately neutral with strong emphasis placed on main circulation paths where the walls, ceilings and floors are clad in dark coloured materials.
Ravine Black Wenge was the material chosen to clad the only fixed element in the large teaching space. The striking continuous curved piece acts as the balustrade to the ramp and the stair as well as between the upper and lower levels within the large teaching and learning space. The joinery piece also forms the back of the banquette seat on the lower level.
Ravine was chosen to clad the curve for its flexibility, durability, texture and warmth, along with Venette Black for the fingerprint resistant technology. The sit-stand tabletops are Maison Oak Ravine, used to add warmth to the otherwise neutral and theatrical space.