Residential Wing Refurbishment
For more than half a century, the residential wings of Mannix College have been home to generations of students arriving at Monash University, many of them living away from home for the first time. In the summer of 2025–26, these familiar buildings entered a new chapter.
Over an intensive seven-week program, the College completed the most significant refurbishment of the residential wings since they first opened in 1969. More than 290 student rooms were renovated, along with corridors, stairwells and shared areas. Lighting was upgraded, acoustics improved, finishes refreshed, and more than 300 wifi access points installed throughout.
The project represents a major investment in the daily experience of our students who call Mannix home.
Andrew Swan, Principal
“This is the most significant renewal of our residential wings since the College opened. It is an investment in the everyday experience of our students, how they live, study and feel at home at Mannix.”
Since opening its doors in 1969, the wings have housed more than 7,000 Mannix residents. While the spaces have been maintained through repainting, recarpeting and minor upgrades over the decades, this refurbishment marks the first comprehensive renewal of the original accommodation buildings.
The result is immediately noticeable. Brighter rooms. Quieter corridors. Faster internet. A more comfortable and secure living environment for every resident.
A focused refurbishment
The project was deliberately scoped as a targeted, high-impact renewal rather than a full redevelopment, concentrating investment where students experience it most.
Delivered through an accelerated nine-week staged program over the summer break, the works refreshed the east and west residential wings while ensuring the College was ready to welcome residents for the new academic year.
Craig Milner, Chair of the Mannix Master Planning Committee, says the refurbishment reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to improving student facilities.
“The reopening of the residential wings is the latest project in our continuing focus on improving our facilities and, in doing so, the experience of our residents.”
Inside the rooms
Every bedroom across the wings received a thoughtful refresh designed to support both study and everyday living.
Upgrades included:
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New minimalist desks and ergonomic chairs
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New carpet throughout
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New blinds
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Large acoustic pinboards
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Full repainting of ceilings, walls and doors
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Modernised above-bed lighting and dimmable room lighting
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Upgraded power outlets
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A dedicated Wi-Fi access point in every room
Importantly, the design approach allows residents to personalise their rooms while benefiting from a calm, functional base environment.
Jenni Webster of LAW Architecture, who worked on the project, explained that the refurbishment also completes a longer architectural vision for the campus.
“The refurbishment of the dorm rooms was always the missing piece from the earlier campus redevelopment. Completing this stage allowed us to bring the warmth, tactility and colours of the newer buildings into the residential wings.”
For students, the improvements are both practical and immediate, supporting study, connection and daily life in an increasingly digital environment.
Reimagining shared spaces
Beyond individual rooms, the project also refreshed the spaces students move through every day.
Across the wings, residents will notice:
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New corridor carpeting
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Brighter lighting in corridors, stairwells and bathrooms
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Fresh paint throughout
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Targeted acoustic treatments in stairwells
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Improved corridor security doors
Together, these upgrades create a quieter, more welcoming atmosphere while preserving the vibrancy that defines life in a residential college.
Student perspectives
Early feedback from residents highlights the difference the changes have made.
One returning student noted the transformation as soon as they walked back into the wings.
“The biggest change I noticed was definitely the hallways. You walk in and they’re so much brighter and warmer, and you really just feel a lot more at home.”
Another resident emphasised the improved acoustic comfort.
“Something I’ve noticed already that I think both old and new residents are going to love is how much quieter it is in the hallways.”
For many students, the refreshed rooms also provide new opportunities to make the space their own.
“The massive pin boards mean I’ve been able to put everything that I love up there.”
These responses echo the priorities students consistently raised in feedback: better lighting, quieter corridors, stronger connectivity and comfortable spaces to live and study.
A collaborative project
The refurbishment was delivered through a strong partnership between the College and an experienced project team.
SEMZ acted as Project Manager and Superintendent, coordinating the works and overseeing delivery.
Project partners included:
- Finance: Catholic Development Fund
- Head Contractor: Harris HMC Interiors
- Architect: LAW Architecture
- Services Engineer: Di Marzo Consulting
- Building Surveyor: SWA
- Quantity Surveyor: Prowse Quantity Surveyors
- Wifi Technology Provider: Monash University
Celebrating a renewal
The refurbished wings were officially reopened by 2026 MCSS President Alex Aidt at the second annual Mannix Leadership Dinner, attended by supporters, friends of the College, staff, student leaders and representatives from College governance, Monash University and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
The evening marked a fitting moment to celebrate the renewal of one of the most cherished parts of the College.
For the thousands of students who have lived in the wings over the past five decades, and for those who will follow, the refurbishment ensures that Mannix continues to offer what it has always promised: a place to live, learn and belong.