Over the summer of 2025/26, Monash University Accommodation delivered the largest and most complex program of capital and compliance works ever undertaken across its residential portfolio. Approximately one third of all accommodation stock—over 1,000 rooms across multiple campuses—was impacted by concurrent major refurbishments, infrastructure upgrades, and safety-critical works, all delivered against immovable academic deadlines.
This presentation explores how large-scale transformation was delivered within a live accommodation environment while maintaining student safety, trust, and service continuity. While some enabling works—such as the installation of extensive scaffolding—were required in fully occupied buildings due to program constraints, all high-risk construction activities, including hazardous material removal and full room demolition, were undertaken only during planned zero-occupancy periods. For the primary Residential Village project, buildings were vacated between November 2025 and February 2026 to allow bedrooms to be taken back to shell condition and fully reconstructed. Similar zero-occupancy strategies were applied to other sites, including a 4.5-week vacancy period at Briggs Hall.
The session examines four contrasting project types delivered in parallel: large-scale bedroom and window upgrades; refurbishment of newer buildings as part of a programmed maintenance cycle; staged decanting of smaller residential assets; and the development of an air-conditioning strategy constrained by legacy infrastructure and rising student expectations.
Particular focus is given to governance and communications, including the establishment of a cross-functional logistics and communications committee, increased resourcing to manage documentation and incident response, and structured complaints management supported by face-to-face engagement with students. The presentation candidly reflects on serious incidents, latent conditions, and the need for institution-level decision-making beyond traditional project management.
This session shares practical lessons on transparency, risk management, and student engagement that are transferable across the student accommodation sector.