News

Campus redevelopment update, July 2024

July 03, 2024

The next stage of our Campus redevelopment is nearing completion with Reception, Residential, Vision and Children’s Services and the Experiential Centre soon to be a reality! This build delivers on Guide Dogs’ purpose: an expert-designed space focusing on our Clients from children to adults.

Including a new building that sits over the footprint of where the former telemarketing building was, it extends to the former Arnold Cook House dining room and kitchen, before adjoining the Administration building. Check out these photos taken in mid-June to get an idea of how the new building is progressing!

Our new reception front entry features a pointed cantilevered roof extends out wrapping around a beautiful, big river red gum tree. Clients arriving to Campus can enjoy and play a set of 11 musical chimes to the left of the entryway that can be played with attached hammers or a cane. With wayfinding contrasting and tactile features in the vinyl floor, the light and bright Reception is warm and welcoming to all.

A collage of three photos showing the new Guide Dogs Victoria reception front entry and inside the bright reception. Wayfinding contrasting and tactile features line the vinyl floor while a banquette sofa lines the reception waiting area.

Past reception is the residential wing, home to seven ensuite bedrooms, a wheelchair-accessible ensuite bedroom, a training apartment, lounge, dining, fully accessible kitchen and four sensory breakout spaces. The kitchen features exemplary examples of accessibility, with an electric adjustable sink in the island bench, adjustable cooktop and overhead cabinets that lower for easy access.

A collage of four photos showing a new residential corridor, residential bedroom and ensuite bathroom, and fully accessible kitchen for Clients staying at Guide Dogs Victoria.

A dedicated lounge honours our historic site with a batten feature timber wall, set in a spline curve or fish shape, crafted from reclaimed timber milled and machined from the trees cut down on Campus three years ago, including cedar and white ash trees.

A collage of three photos showing the new Guide Dogs Victoria lounge space, corridors in the new office, and a cedar sensory space with a green microsuede bench wrapping the room.

The new Early Puppy Development courtyard located in the centre of the new building features views to reception, the impact zone and residential corridor. Three trees flank the courtyard, with terracotta coloured rubber, a path in timber, crazy paving and synthetic grass – all providing different surfaces for our growing and learning puppies to explore.

The new early puppy development courtyard located in the centre of the new Guide Dogs Victoria building. Three trees in the foreground surrounding timber path, synthetic grass, and crazy paving.