Victoria's Governor opens new Deakin Law School Building

The building is a cornerstone project in the Elgar Road Precinct of Deakin's Burwood Campus combining new spaces for student experiences with state-of-the-art technology and the latest environmentally responsible practices such as rainwater harvesting and a fully accessible connection to end-of-trip active transport facilities.

Designed by renowned international architect, Sarah Ball of Woods Bagot, the eight-level building is the first large general-purpose learning and teaching space added to the campus in ten years, delivering five levels of flexible active learning spaces, two levels of student support and health and wellbeing services and a new home for the Deakin Law School.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the building addresses a set of identified needs, in particular the growth in student numbers at the Burwood Campus.

"This building supports the development of evolving teaching methods and improved student experience," Professor Martin said.

"It will enable Deakin to continue to prepare and challenge students and graduates to be the most effective and practical contributors wherever they work and study."

Key features of the building include:

• 27 new learning and teaching spaces,
• 650 seat capacity of informal learning space,
• Workplace accommodation with up to 200 work points,
• A Health and Wellbeing Centre, DeakinACTIVE Fitness Centre, a range of student-facing services including Equity and Diversity and Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), and
• Café, security hub, basement parking and Wellness Garden.

Executive Dean of the Faculty and Business and Law, Alfred Deakin Professor Mike Ewing said while the building was completed last year, the opening was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"It is wonderful to finally open the new home of the Deakin Law School which ranks in the top 250 law schools worldwide," Professor Ewing said.

"Over the past 30 years, Deakin Law School has produced more than 7,000 graduates who contribute to the legal profession, industry, not-for-profits and government organisations throughout Australia and around the world."

Deakin Law School Dean Professor Jenni Lightowlers said the new building would bring students and staff together in a supportive, law-focused environment.

"Our new home will help us create an immersive, highly engaging law school experience, including our state-of-the-art moot court which will allow students to practise advocacy in a court-like environment," Professor Lightowlers said.

"It also provides a wonderful platform for our engagement and dialogue with the community and the profession."