Jfk Interiors Australia was privileged to be engaged in the delivering of commercial and bespoke joinery for the Melbourne Connect project. 

Melbourne Connect will co-locate leading researchers, start-ups, SMEs, government and industry in a collaborative eco-system where digitally enabled and data-driven research will drive value and growth, unlock innovation and address major societal and economic challenges. 

The University of Melbourne, in partnership with a consortium led by Lendlease, is developing Melbourne Connect, which is set to be Australia's leading innovation precinct.

Builder: Lendlease

Architect (precinct): Woods Bagot

Architect (student accommodation): Hayball

Client: University Of Melbourne

Designed by Woods Bagot (precinct) and Hayball (student accommodation), the precinct features circa 35,000 square metres of A-Grade office space for the Melbourne School of Engineering, co-working and commercial tenants, the Telstra Creator Space, Science Gallery Melbourne, retail and a 3,000 square metre superfloor shared meeting and events space, which will be activated by a dedicated events and engagement team. 

In all, Jfk Interiors Australia manufactured and installed over 1000 joinery units at Melbourne Connect with the project requiring extensive commercial experience and capabilities to delivery on such a vast array of joinery work including bespoke wall paneling across 8 levels, seating, bi-fold doors, kitchenettes, over 60 vanities to bathrooms across 9 levels, 25 different types of upholstery, stone, veneer, timber, powder coated metalwork and colour backed glass splash backs.  Further, the project included a variety of booth seating with integrated planter boxes, glass display cases, timber tiered seating, office joinery, kitchen joinery and a range of locker variants – just to name a few…

In such a large scale project, a few particularly unique features included a very extensive package of bespoke wall paneling utilising materials such as pin boards, magnetic white boards and grey glass paneling.  Another unique aspect of the paneling requirements being veneer doors and whiteboards - open the doors for a full whiteboard wall over 8m long.

Initially awarded in September 2019 Jfk Interiors Australia has been on site since April 2020 with the project competing in early 2021. All up when finished the project will have involved nearly 30,000 hours in the factory and on site for JFK Interiors Australia – much of which has taken place during periods of challenging restrictions relating to COVID19. 

Melbourne Connect is a Greenstar project.

Builder: Lendlease | Architect: Woods Bagot & Hayball | Client: Melbourne University