UWS Lithgow

Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Blue Mountains, on the western side of the Great Dividing Range, Lithgow is an historic NSW town with a strong industrial heritage dating back to the 1800s. 

When plans were formed to establish a University of Western Sydney (UWS) Outreach Campus in an old, rundown building in Lithgow’s civic precinct, it’s no surprise the project team were so committed to maintaining its old-world charm while ensuring sensitivity to the local environment.

The brief was to transform the former Charles H Hoskins Memorial Institute, built in 1927, into a contemporary learning facility, while retaining the building’s original character and ensuring energy efficiency. TKD Architects was engaged to take on the project.

While the exterior of the building retains its original façade, the neglected brickwork has been restored to its former glory.  An ancillary wing was also demolished and replaced with a glass lobby flooding the interiors with an abundance of natural light. 

Due to the extreme weather and extensive glazing, it took 15 months of careful consulting on U Values and SHGC before the team found the perfect products and materials. Window and door manufacturers, Evolution Window Systems worked closely with TKD Architects to ensure the building maintained a comfortable temperature in both winter and summer while delivering the requisite energy savings and cost efficiencies. Because the site is located on a busy main road, noise reduction was also a major consideration.

To contend with such large expanses of glass in a dramatic curtain-wall application, a thermal break with double-glazing was also a must. 

Evolution suggested the ThermalHEART™ Series 804 and 826, and the Series 852 Hinged Door as they deliver excellent thermal performance and are ideal for commercial and high-end residential applications where minimising heat or cold transfer is a priority.