Union House

Part of the Union Building Group, which also includes Lady Symon Building, George Murray Building, Western Annexe and cloisters.

At the Union Council meeting on 22 June 1967 it was agreed to engage the services of Dickson and Platten Architects on an hourly basis and on 19 July 1967 they were formally commissioned to prepare sketch designs of modifications to the existing Union buildings.

A two stage approach was proposed by the architects.  The first stage was to comprise the reconstruction and extension of the southern area of the site to give three levels of accommodation over the full area and two levels for plant above. This included two refectories (Wills and Upper), games room, club offices, kitchen, plant rooms and the bookshop.  Stage one was completed in May 1971. 

The second stage was to replace the original single story Mayo building with a building of several levels linking the stage one levels and the proposed new bookshop.  This included the Little Theatre, cinema, bistro, craft studio, bar, gallery and Mayo Refectory.

The total cost of the project was $2.7 million.

Union House was designed in a contemporary style, while incorporating heritage buildings within its footprint. It is built with particular attention to detail and use of materials, and received an award from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (SA Chapter) in 1975.

Taken from Assessment of Heritage Value.  Union Building Group,  Adelaide University, Victoria Drive, Adelaide,1999