Deakin University Law School Building Melbourne, VIC Project Details Location: 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125 Scope: 170 sqm Architect: Woods Bagot Completion Year: 2021 ShapeShift Product: Customised ShapeShell™ RT Internal Wall Cladding Panels. Design Features: Collaborative learning spaces, biophilic design with Wellness and Winter Gardens. Transforming educational spaces with ShapeShell™ RT In 2021, Deakin University’s Burwood Campus, located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, underwent a groundbreaking transformation of its Law School Building, redefining how educational spaces should look, feel, and function.  Designed by architect Woods Bagot, the project stands as a testament to innovative thinking, with the building transcending traditional university layouts and learning environments to champion collaborative, interactive learning spaces, ultimately bringing students and faculty closer together.  Spanning 18,350 square metres across five levels, the goal was to create a space that was both inspiring and functional to meet the evolving educational needs of today. With elements like the Wellness and Winter Gardens located on different levels, the building incorporates biophilic and sustainable building materials, enhancing the well-being of everyone who steps inside. HOW WE CONTRIBUTED ShapeShift’s Customised Cladding Solution To bring the architect’s vision to life, ShapeShift provided customised ShapeShell RT™/FRP (the next generation of fibre-reinforced polymer) internal cladding composite panels that are designed to meet performance, safety, and aesthetic requirements. These lightweight architectural panels are both fire-resistant and durable, ensuring safety, sustainability, and a modern aesthetic—making them ideal for high-traffic educational environments and aligning with Deakin’s overarching educational goals. The use of non-metallic reinforcement in the FRP panels also provided long-lasting durability by eliminating corrosion concerns. KEY FEATURES Fire Safety First: ShapeShift’s durable FRP panels were rigorously tested for fire resistance, ensuring they adhered to stringent safety standards, including AS 1530.3 and AS 3837. The fire-rated composite cladding aspect of the panels made them especially suitable for a public educational environment. Texture and Finish: Finished with acrylic-based paint and primed for a smooth top coat, the panels included an anti-graffiti layer, allowing for easy maintenance. Flexibility in Design: Measuring up to 6 metres in length and 550 mm in width, the panels handled slight curvatures, making them adaptable to the architect’s unique layout. The panels’ high strength-to-weight ratio ensured the installation was efficient without compromising on strength. OVERCOMING PROJECT CHALLENGES Complex Geometry and Tight Tolerances: Tight tolerances across complex curved geometry meant that strict quality control and precision engineering were a focus.  We ensured each panel met the project’s high-performance requirements and demonstrated flexural strength in composites to handle the building’s curved structure. Site-Specific Adjustments: Site constraints meant wall opening sizes couldn’t always be guaranteed. Our solution? An adjustable joint system with panels that could sleeve together—preserving the integrity of full panels and allowing flexibility on-site. The advanced composite solutions used here allowed the panels to be adjusted while maintaining the structural integrity of the building. No Caulking Finish Requirement: Achieving a seamless joint without caulking was essential. At ShapeShift, we designed a custom connection system that promised stability and alignment, producing a polished, seamless look even under tough lighting conditions. Meeting tight deadlines: Our prefabricated internal wall cladding systems also helped significantly to reduce the on-site workload, making the construction process more efficient. THE PROJECT’S CONTRIBUTORS ShapeShift worked closely with Woods Bagot, Industry Cladding, Casello Group, and ASPECT Studios to ensure that each stage of the project met the highest standards. This collaborative effort reduced risks, improved quality, and kept the project running on schedule. THE RESULT: A MODERN AND SUSTAINABLE LEARNING SPACE Today, the Deakin University Law School building stands as a beacon of modern learning—sustainable, adaptable, and truly student-centered. The integration of ShapeShell RT™/FRP panels provided an efficient, aesthetic, and safe environment, reinforcing the role of well-designed spaces in promoting learning and well-being. The use of sustainable building materials has contributed significantly to Deakin University’s green credentials. A beautifully sculptural piece of architecture. Aptly composed forms stacking and rolling on top of one another. The fluted precast concrete contrasts well with the zinc-cladding boxes. The building looked effortlessly put together. Ann Lau Judge Discover More About Our Cladding Solutions ShapeShift provides innovative, sustainable, and high-quality cladding solutions for modern architectural projects. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life with ShapeShell’s advanced FRP composite materials, contact us today. Contact Us Discuss Your Needs