Bendigo TAFE | City Campus

Client

Bendigo Kagan Institute

Location

Bendigo, Victoria

Sector

Education

Partner

Architectus

Services

Structural Engineering, Tender Advisory, Heritage Integration

Project overview

Entrance to Bendigo TAFE campus showing the brick base, glass upper levels, and campus signage.

ADG played a key role in the Bendigo TAFE City Campus Revitalisation, leading structural engineering and buildability initiatives that transformed the campus into a contemporary educational hub.

The revitalisation involved two new three‑storey buildings and the refurbishment of three heritage‑listed structures, creating a unified, flexible and learner‑centred campus. ADG’s engineering innovation enabled the architectural vision to be realised while managing complex heritage sensitivities and regional delivery challenges. The result is a connected precinct that celebrates Bendigo’s character and redefines sustainable regional education environments.

$50

MILLION

CONSTRUCTION VALUE

2022

COMPLETED

3

Heritage Buildings Refurbished

2

New Buildings

ADG was able to provide the client with significant material cost reductions for concrete and reinforcement materials due to innovative design and simplification of building foundations. Ever mindful of our role in shaping places and communities, ADG delivered strong, best‑practice engineering that enhances education for future generations.

Matthew Obst

Principal Engineer - Structural

Building Heritage into the Future

Innovative engineering transforming Bendigo’s historic TAFE campus into a connected, mixed‑use education hub driving community growth and regional innovation.

The Bendigo TAFE City Campus Revitalisation united past and future through technically complex heritage integration and a strong regional education focus. Designed as a mixed‑use precinct, the campus seamlessly brings together learning, community and commercial spaces — strengthening Bendigo’s role as a regional education powerhouse.

ADG’s advanced structural engineering reduced materials and costs by 15%, while seismic assessments future‑proofed heritage assets. Smart foundation and sequencing strategies overcame access constraints between existing buildings, ensuring efficient delivery in a live environment. The revitalised precinct now acts as both an educational anchor and civic gateway, enriching community connection and regional development

Design Challenges & Innovations

Integrating Heritage and Modern Design

Strengthening 100‑year‑old structures while maintaining architectural integrity.
Seamlessly combining heritage façades with new‑build interfaces.
Preserving cultural legacy within a modern learning framework.

Engineering Under Restricted Site Conditions

Adaptive foundation methodologies to navigate limited rig access.
Innovative sequencing enabling construction adjacent to heritage assets.
Coordination between multiple concurrent build zones.

Achieving Structural Efficiency

Reducing material usage through intelligent redesign and analysis.
Simplifying structural grids for greater design flexibility.
Optimising floorplates to enhance user comfort and natural light

Exterior view of Bendigo TAFE’s revitalised city campus featuring a blend of modern architecture and restored heritage buildings.

ADG's Solution

ADG delivered tailored structural design and advisory services that balanced cost, constructability, and heritage requirements. Our tender redesign reduced reinforcement and concrete use by 15% while accelerating delivery. Through seismic assessment and adaptive engineering, heritage assets were made future‑ready without compromising authenticity. The final outcome, a flexible, efficient and community‑centred campus which showcases how smart design paired with regional understanding can drive education excellence and sustainability

Sustainability & Heritage

Sustainability

Material efficiency and low‑impact structural solutions.

Heritage Integration

Seamless blending of historic and modern architecture.

Regional Impact

Revitalising education and community connection in Bendigo.

Operational Excellence

Cost Efficiency

15% material saving with simplified foundations.

Design Excellence

Light‑filled, flexible learning spaces engineered for the future.

Corner view of the Bendigo TAFE City Campus showing new architecture alongside restored heritage buildings and active street frontage.

Exterior view of the Bendigo TAFE City Campus showing the modern façade blending glass, brick, and bronze architectural fins under a clear blue sky.

Inter‑building walkway and courtyard at Bendigo TAFE linking modern and heritage structures.

AWARDS

2022 | Australian Institute of Architects (VIC)

Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design Winner

From insight to impact. Let's create something lasting.

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