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The new bright lights on Broadway

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UTS Tower signage. Photo by: Cindy Araujo

It’s often dubbed the ugliest building in Sydney, but looks can be deceiving. The UTS Tower is in the middle of a major makeover, with more than $50 million invested over the past four years. The latest addition is three-and-a-half-metre tall sky signage adorning the top of the building.

The new ‘UTS’ signage uses energy-efficient LEDs to light up the iconic Tower by night, and matches that on buildings 6, 11 and the new UTS Haberfield Rowing Club.

UTS Tower lights at dusk. Photo by: Ben HardingWhile the most recent change appear cosmetic, Manager, Projects at UTS’s Facilities Management Office Stewart Corner says the upgrades really begin at the Tower’s core. “The new illuminated signage almost acts as a symbol of the major investment UTS has made, and continues to make, in the Tower as part of the City Campus Master Plan. The Master Plan is about investing in our existing buildings as well as new facilities.”

The recent Tower Core Upgrade is just one example of this. It involved the installation of six new lifts and other facilities, and was the building’s first major upgrade since it opened in 1979. “The lifts are a type used in many new, large city buildings and include what’s called a ‘destination control’ system, which involves keying in the floor you wish to go to before you enter the lift lobby,” explains Corner.

“The electronic system links together people who need to go to similar floors, so energy is not wasted by sending lifts up and down for one person. The lifts also incorporate energy recovery devices, and a recent audit demonstrated the new system results in energy savings of more than 50 per cent when compared to the old lifts.”

UTS Building 6 lights at night. Photo by: Chris LaneThe upgrades continue when you step out of the lifts. Brick partitions that used to divide the floors into smaller compartments have been torn down, allowing for more functional and efficient workspace layouts. Enclosed spaces, such as meeting rooms, quiet rooms and breakout areas are located near the core, and open plan workstations towards the windows, allowing all occupants to access natural light. The old, low ceilings are also being removed to expose the original building structure and create space.

“The spaces have been designed to aid interaction, creativity and productivity,” explains Corner. “Many floors have already been refurbished and we’re continually upgrading others as we work to consolidate all administrative and support units within the Tower.”

“The Tower itself is a strong architectural statement and a good example of 1970s Brutalism. Yes, there’s lots of concrete, but by offsetting  this with other warmer finishes and by opening up the spaces and creating greater transparency, the Tower can indeed be a nice place to work.”

The Tower’s presence on Broadway may be changing, but it’s not alone. Next door, building 2 is getting ready for a major reconstruction from 2016 as part of the UTS Central project. This will involve the relocation of the library and the creation of a student services hub, learning commons and research space.

Delivery Manager at UTS’s Program Management Office Brian Moore says the way building 2 relates to the rest of the campus will be crucial.

“What we’re proposing for building 2 will redefine the Broadway campus, create additional connections within the campus and further enhance both learning spaces and the urban quality of the precinct,” he says.

“It’s a very exciting project that will have a hugely positive impact and we can’t wait to share more with the UTS community.”

In summary: 
  • The UTS Tower is in the middle of a major makeover, with more than $50 million invested over the past four years
  • The latest addition is three-and-a-half-metre tall sky signage which uses energy-efficient LEDs to light up the iconic Tower by night 

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