Governor-General officially opens the Learning and Teaching Building
His Excellency General the Honourable Dr Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Governor-General of Australia, officially opened Monash University’s new Learning and Teaching Building on Monday.
The ceremony was also attended by Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, Mr Simon McKeon AO, Chancellor, and Professor Margaret Gardner AO, President and Vice-Chancellor.
Designed by John Wardle Architects, the $225 million building offers four storeys of formal and informal learning spaces centred on a distinctive brick kiln design, with an exciting ‘learning in the round’ feature and interactive lecture spaces equipped with digital technology that maximises student participation and collaboration.
In less than 12 months since opening, the LTB has already won five architecture and design awards, and has been shortlisted and longlisted for another two interior design awards. Having fast become one of the most-visited buildings on campus, the LTB has been unequivocally embraced by students and staff alike.
Sir Peter said the University’s commitment to active learning has been well and truly brought to life through the LTB.
“Our collective wellbeing as a nation depends on us being as smart and nuanced as we can be, so we need centres of learning and teaching that are open and encourage integration and harmony,” he said.
“We need educated and analytic minds to solve the big problems ahead, to compete internationally, and to contribute as an empowered nation to a better world. We must be inquisitive, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Who knows what wonderful ideas and collaborations will happen in this building? This is the beauty and unpredictability of learning.
“In opening the Learning and Teaching Building, Monash demonstrates its powerful commitment, in both philosophy and practice, to embracing knowledge and learning for all of our futures,” he added.
Professor Margaret Gardner AO said: “The design of the Learning and Teaching Building symbolises our ambition and endeavour to make the learning experience for students active, compelling, interactive, collaborative and immersive, in ways that help build their curiosity and creativity.
“The LTB has set a standard that’s truly exceptional. John Wardle Architects have much to be proud of, and Multiplex builders have done a magnificent job of realising the design,” she said.
“Our students and academics have embraced the building and brought it to life. We know that students are staying in the building longer, and when you stay longer and communicate more, you learn more. So far, we also know that their attendance and grades are better. The LTB is not just beautiful in the way it looks, but it’s beautiful in what it achieves.”
Mr Simon McKeon AO said: “The Learning and Teaching Building truly encourages students to get the very best out of themselves, and we owe it to our younger generations to give them spaces like this. It’s quite extraordinary.”
Explore the active learning spaces and award-winning design of the Learning and Teaching Building: