Marsh Study Centre, University of Otago

The Marsh Study Centre was converted from an iconic student pub, the Gardens Tavern, into a remote study centre and café for students in a tight 28 week programme.

The building’s footprint remained essentially the same, but the interiors were gutted and reconfigured. The ground floor now has a café and fireside sitting area facing the Botanic Gardens, while upstairs there is a large open-plan study area and a series of smaller interconnected group learning spaces. High quality finishes included American white oak panelling.

The pub car park made way for substantial landscaped and courtyard areas for study and relaxation.

Now a warm, sunny study and social hub complete with Wi-Fi access, the Marsh Study Centre may appeal to a different subset of students to the old student watering hole, but has been embraced enthusiastically by the student community all the same.