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).

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

The University and UQU signed a new Services Agreement in 2025 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 to ensure alignment between the existing Terms of Engagement for the UQ and UQU and the new Services Agreement.

Stage 1 plans  

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

Following UQ Senate approval, enabling works for Stage 1 to refurbish Building 21C will commence later in 2025. The rest of the Union Complex will continue to operate as usual. 

UQ and UQ Union have collaborated on 21C refurbishment plans for UQU administration offices, student support service areas, the REDROOM, and spaces for students to relax and connect, as well as collaborate and study. 

Enabling works to remove internal fixtures in 21C are expected to commence later this year to finalise detailed design, in preparation for main construction starting in 2026 and finishing in 2028.  

During Stage 1, work will commence to open up the entrance to the Union Complex, creating a pathway from UQ Lakes Station into the heart of the complex. Once the redevelopment is completed, it will significantly improve accessibility and connectivity to other parts of the campus.  

Updates will be provided ahead of works commencing and throughout Stage 1 construction.

In preparation for Stage 1, from 28 April, UQU services previously located in 21C are open in new locations within the Union Complex: 

• 21A:  
  • Queer Collective  
  • Disability Collective  
  • Association of Postgraduate Students (APS) 
  • Clubs and Societies (additional space) 
• 21D 
  • Women's Collective  
  • International Collective  
  • Environment Collective 
  • Semper Floreat  

Signage is in place to direct students to the new locations.  

Early works on the REDROOM

The REDROOM will remain in its current location as part of Stage 1.

The REDROOM temporarily closed in late 2024 for essential asbestos removal works, which are due to be completed by late May. 

The UQU has advised the REDROOM will reopen for Semester 2, 2025.

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.

Schonell Theatre update

UQ and UQU made the decision to keep the Schonell Theatre and Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio closed after assessing reports on asbestos, electrical and fire-safety standards.

When the theatre and drama studio closed, the University and UQU worked with student clubs and societies to find suitable alternative performance spaces and provided support with associated costs.

This support includes the restoration of the Avalon Theatre on Sir Fred Schonell Drive for use as a teaching and performance space by students and the community.

Early works were completed in 2024 which involved safe removal of asbestos, electrical equipment, and fixtures, service re-routing, and other minor building works.

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, 194.5 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