Kaurna
South Australia
The adaptive re-use and revitalisation of the local heritage listed former warehouse at 9 Light Square, Adelaide accommodates the collected research and industry outreach enterprises of the University of South Australia.
Following the discovery that the building was of the earliest remaining intact reinforced concrete buildings in South Australia, the core design principle for its transformation has been to recognise and celebrate that structure while undertaking minimal change to the original fabric.
By housing the University’s “Enterprise Hub”, the building’s life has been sustained and recent tangible moments of the building’s history also revealed, including the repurposed brass birdcage from the nightclub entry to frame a new collaboration space.
This project has given a previously dilapidated building a new use where the recognition and revealing of its history has provided a new level of richness to its occupants and the community.
The Enterprise Hub project harnesses the knowledge and long history of innovation at 9 Light Square to further accelerate innovation for the University of South Australia and wider community, strengthening and diversifying the economy to create high-value jobs and opportunities for local firms.
The beautiful, light filled and playful space reinforces the power of single teams in stewarding partnerships, supporting everything from student placements to research projects which reinforce the opportunity for Australian firms and researchers to design the future together.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
