Union Complex redevelopment

The University and UQ Union (UQU) are working together on a staged redevelopment of the Union Complex at St Lucia, including on the design approach, inclusions and governance.

The redeveloped complex will maintain its legacy as a space where students can connect and feel safe and supported, and will remain a home for debate and activism on campus.

The Union Complex name will be kept, as will the village-style design, while incorporating modern facilities and improved accessibility and connectivity through the precinct to other parts of campus. Many existing elements of the Union Complex will be retained, including the Schonell Theatre, Forum and Union Building (21A), and the White Australia has a black history mural will be preserved and reinstated within the Complex.

Our community will be kept up to date throughout each phase of the project.

The University and UQU signed a new Services Agreement in 2024 which formalises a UQ Union zone to ensure they continue to have agency over activities in student spaces of the Union Complex. The University has committed to work with the Union to ensure alignment between the existing Terms of Engagement for the UQ and UQU and the new Services Agreement.

Stage 1 early works

The redevelopment of the Union Complex will be carried out in stages over the coming years – helping to minimise the disruption to the community. 

In early 2025, UQ and the UQU announced Stage 1 of the Union Complex Redevelopment to refurbish Building 21C to accommodate UQU administration, student support service areas, the REDROOM, and spaces for students to relax and connect, as well as collaborate and study. 

Early works for Stage 1 will commence from late November 2025 including: 

• Removal of internal fixtures in Building 21C and safe asbestos removal by licensed contractors in line with relevant legislation. 

• Commence work to open up the entrance to the Complex by removing the former Pizza Caffe and structure below that connects the Schonell Theatre and Building 21C. This will create a pathway from UQ Lakes Station into the heart of the Complex once the development is completed. 

• Progress proposed plans for a second lift in Building 21C located between the REDROOM and Robertson Way next year (subject to approvals). 

Managing construction impacts and ensuring safety during Stage 1 

The University and its contractor are working closely with the UQU to coordinate early works and minimise impacts as much as possible.  

The REDROOM, and other retailers and services in the rest of the Union Complex will operate as usual.  

Safety measures will include construction management plans, protective equipment, signage and barricades. Any asbestos-containing material will be wrapped before being removed from the building for disposal and managed in accordance with legislative requirements. 

Pedestrian access will remain open via the Building 21C lift and stairs. There may be times when the stairs need to be closed temporarily, and detours will be signed in advance.  

For information on parking, traffic and pedestrian changes during the works, visit the road and building works page.

To enable Stage 1, 4 trees need to be removed from the Union Complex due to their proximity the works   

Works will be carried out in line with an approved NALL permit from Brisbane City Council. We place a high value on native flora and our campuses are home to more than 6,000 trees which support a diverse range of ecosystems, while balancing the need for essential infrastructure to support our growing community.  

To offset the removal in line with the BCC permit, the University will plant 18 native trees at our St Lucia campus. On completion, the Union Complex will also be landscaped to include native vegetation.   

Schonell Theatre and Geoffrey Rush Studio

The Schonell Theatre and Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio were temporarily closed in May 2021 for asbestos removal and essential safety assessments. The UQ and UQU agreed the refurbishment of these venues would be part of the broader Complex redevelopment, although some early works were completed in 2024.  

The Schonell Theatre will remain closed until it is refurbished in future project stages.  

During Stage 1, a temporary facade will be installed at the Theatre after the neighbouring, former Pizza Caffe and below structure are removed as part of early works (outlined above).  

Following completion of minor works, the UQU is utilising the Geoffrey Rush Studio for events due to the closure of the 21C function space. 

Design team

In 2023, Australian architectural firm Lyons was appointed to lead the development of the design for the Union Complex.

Lyons is leading a creative collaboration of local and national design firms including Hogg and Lamb, Atelier Chen Hung Architects, Alice Hampson Architects and CUSP Landscape – each bringing a wealth of expertise in student-focused projects and education sector experience. 

With a track record of refurbishing buildings from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, the team will be sensitive to the Union Complex’s history and respect its cultural significance. In addition, a number of the team’s members are UQ alumni. 

The design team is working with UQ and UQU to develop a design blueprint that recognises the deep connection that UQU, students and alumni have with the complex, in consultation with key user groups as planning progresses.

Acknowledging the past

The University announced it was going back to first principles on the project in 2021, acknowledging that previous design and usage principles did not have wide support from our diverse community.

As part of this reset, the elected UQ Student Union President was made a member of the Union Complex Executive Steering Committee – the body responsible for guiding the redevelopment.

Read the March 2022 UQ and UQU joint statement (PDF, 198.5 KB)

At the time, architects Conrad Gargett met with students, alumni and staff to understand what the complex means to them and what experiences from the past should be reflected in the complex for future generations of students.

Based on these discussions, the following principles were established to guide the project planning:

• The new complex must reflect the history and voices of past student generations.
• It must remain true to its original intent – a safe space for students to connect and belong.
• It must be a safe place that stands for democracy and free speech.

Students from the UQ School of Architecture and Dr Don Watson also briefed the Committee on possible ways to adapt and re-use elements of the current complex.

Enquiries

For enquiries about these planned works, please contact projectcomms@uq.edu.au