Set against the rolling farmland of the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus, the new student accommodation introduces 85 single-occupancy modular units, designed to meet the needs of students while respecting the environment.

Designed by JCB and Modscape, the accommodation was built off-site and assembled on campus in just days, minimising disruption and environmental impact. As the first project delivered under the University’s Estate Master Plan, it balances student housing requirements with the site’s heritage and environmental overlays.

Our urban planning team played a key role in securing planning approvals, ensuring the development complemented the existing campus and landscape while addressing the constraints of the site.

Key sustainability features include:

• Passive design principles to optimise natural light and ventilation.
• Modular construction to reduce material waste and on-site disturbance.
• Drought-resistant landscaping that supports local biodiversity with minimal water use.
• Strategic tree retention to protect the site’s ecological integrity.

 
This project provides much-needed housing while fostering a sense of community through communal spaces that connect learning, living, and recreation. The works, funded by the Victorian Government and University of Melbourne, were completed in July 2024, setting a practical example for modular student living in a sustainable context.