All Photography by Henry Lam
Behind the Design
The refurbishment of the first floor of the iconic Menzies Building at Monash University formed part of a $70 million redevelopment program transforming outdated teaching spaces across five sites and two campuses into contemporary, flexible learning environments. More than a fitout, the project demonstrates how thoughtful adaptive reuse can extend the life and relevance of one of the University's most significant buildings while responding to the evolving ways students learn, collaborate and connect.
As the original building on Monash University's Clayton campus and a heritage-listed landmark, the Menzies Building holds an important place in the University's identity. The design intention was to honour this legacy while creating warm, welcoming spaces that support contemporary pedagogies. Rather than competing with the building's character, the refurbishment reveals and celebrates it, transforming a previously tired and uninspiring section into an environment that reflects both its history and its future.
Natural light became a defining design element, with learning spaces oriented to embrace views of the surrounding tree canopy and the University's central green, strengthening connections to landscape, wellbeing and campus life. Internally, the language of design draws inspiration from the building's original architectural features. Shaw Industries carpet tiles subtly reinterpret the distinctive terrazzo patterning of the historic ground-floor concourse, creating a contemporary reference to the building's heritage while introducing texture, rhythm and visual interest. The pattern also softens the long linear circulation spaces, helping to define places for gathering, interaction and informal learning.
The result is a learning environment that tells the story of Monash University's past while supporting its future — demonstrating how sensitive, sustainable refurbishment can preserve cultural identity, reduce environmental impact and inspire meaningful connections between people, place and learning.
The project demonstrates that the most enduring learning environments are not always new — they are those that thoughtfully reinterpret the past to inspire the future. The project prioritised the principles of the circular economy, demonstrating that the most meaningful form of sustainability begins with the thoughtful regeneration of existing places. Rather than replacing outdated facilities, the refurbishment reimagines the first floor of the iconic, heritage-listed Menzies Building as part of Monash University's $70 million transformation of teaching environments across five sites and two campuses. The project extends the life of a significant campus asset, preserving its embodied value while creating contemporary spaces that support the evolving needs of students and educators.
Adaptive reuse became both the environmental and design strategy. Existing building fabric was retained and celebrated, reducing waste, conserving embodied carbon and aligning with Monash University's Circular Economy Framework, which prioritises extending the lifespan of buildings and materials before replacement. Rather than viewing the Menzies Building as a constraint, the design recognised it as an asset – one capable of accommodating new modes of learning while continuing to tell the story of the University's origins.
The specification of Shaw carpet tiles reinforced this circular design philosophy, combining durability, adaptability and low-impact material performance with a contemporary interpretation of the building's original terrazzo flooring. More than a finish, the flooring contributes to a material narrative that celebrates the Menzies Building's heritage while supporting its ongoing evolution, while providing a flexible flooring solution designed to accommodate future adaptation and change.
While circularity shaped the project's environmental approach, diversity and inclusion informed the learning experience. The traditional lecture theatre has become increasingly disconnected from contemporary student expectations, particularly following the rapid growth of hybrid and digital learning. In response, the refurbishment introduces a diverse ecosystem of formal and informal settings that support collaboration, quiet reflection, social learning and individual choice. Access to natural light, views to the surrounding tree canopy and the University's central green reinforce wellbeing and strengthen connections to campus life.
These varied environments recognise that there is no single way to learn. By providing students with a choice of settings that accommodate different learning styles, preferences and modes of engagement, the project creates a more inclusive and empowering educational experience while supporting meaningful interaction between on-campus and online communities. Ultimately, the project demonstrates that a circular economy is not simply about reducing waste – it is about extending the value of existing places. By regenerating a landmark building rather than replacing it, the design preserves cultural identity, minimises environmental impact and creates an adaptable learning environment capable of supporting generations of students to come.
Featured Collections
Community Collection: Featuring Process Carpet Tile & Share Broadloom.
The Community collection was created to work together in harmony. Each of its four core products complements the others— with textured and plush carpet tile, broadloom available as rugs, and hard surface—giving designers unlimited choices to meet the demands of a new workplace.
Community Collection: Featuring Process Carpet Tile & Share Broadloom.
The Community collection was created to work together in harmony. Each of its four core products complements the others— with textured and plush carpet tile, broadloom available as rugs, and hard surface—giving designers unlimited choices to meet the demands of a new workplace.
Dialogue Collection: Featuring Spoken Carpet Tile.
In a world that often feels fragmented, we yearn to connect. To bond with local culture and people. To feel at home. In communal spaces that invite us to gather and connect. To exchange ideas and experiences. To talk. To listen. To learn. Dialogue takes full advantage of exclusive Tailor Tuft technology. Tailor Tuft gives luxe pile-height distinction and sharp, rich detail to create an embossed effect, deepening the communication between designers and the spaces they create.
Dialogue Collection: Featuring Spoken Carpet Tile.
In a world that often feels fragmented, we yearn to connect. To bond with local culture and people. To feel at home. In communal spaces that invite us to gather and connect. To exchange ideas and experiences. To talk. To listen. To learn. Dialogue takes full advantage of exclusive Tailor Tuft technology. Tailor Tuft gives luxe pile-height distinction and sharp, rich detail to create an embossed effect, deepening the communication between designers and the spaces they create.
Solitude LVT
Find strength in Solitude LVT, a collection of wood visuals in subtle shades of quiet. Embossed grain textures from light to medium give a realistic look and feel. Constructed in 5mm thickness for smoother flow without transition strips, and an innovative silencing layer to reduce sound transfer. Solitude is available in twelve subdued tones, a palette designed to work alone or plank together.
Solitude LVT
Find strength in Solitude LVT, a collection of wood visuals in subtle shades of quiet. Embossed grain textures from light to medium give a realistic look and feel. Constructed in 5mm thickness for smoother flow without transition strips, and an innovative silencing layer to reduce sound transfer. Solitude is available in twelve subdued tones, a palette designed to work alone or plank together.
Compound + Cast: Featuring Compound 2.5mm LVT.
Compound + Cast aesthetics are a soothing, unassuming fit, delivering a classic aesthetic. Compound showcases subtle beauty marks that mimic the look of concrete, and Cast is a curious play of aggregate materials. Both styles offered in 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm thicknesses.
Compound + Cast: Featuring Compound 2.5mm LVT.
Compound + Cast aesthetics are a soothing, unassuming fit, delivering a classic aesthetic. Compound showcases subtle beauty marks that mimic the look of concrete, and Cast is a curious play of aggregate materials. Both styles offered in 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm thicknesses.