The New Academic Street (NAS) redevelopment at RMIT University in Melbourne transforms the heart of the city campus with new student spaces, green infrastructure, and revitalised building façades. As a key contributor to this landmark project, Ronstan Tensile Architecture supplied and installed a range of custom stainless steel mesh systems across multiple buildings and façades, delivering fall protection, architectural transparency, and structural support for planted façades.
On the Swanston Street elevation of Building 12, Ronstan installed tensile mesh panels to the newly constructed “Birdcage” structure—an exposed steel addition designed to prevent falling objects from the upper-level balconies. Inside this structure, balustrade infill mesh was installed to create safe, unobtrusive barriers that maintain airflow and visual continuity.
Along Bowen Street, Ronstan engineered and installed steel-framed mesh balustrade systems to upgrade the external façade of Building 12. These mesh infills serve both safety and aesthetic purposes, forming a lightweight, durable barrier that complements the surrounding urban design.
Adjacent to this, the Garden Building—a four-level open-sided structure—uses stainless steel mesh façade panels to enclose its balconies and create vertical surfaces for climbing vegetation. Ronstan also supplied integrated green trellis systems to support plant growth, reinforcing the building’s sustainable and biophilic design intent.
Within the new Media Hub precinct, Ronstan completed balustrade mesh infill installations and contributed to a catenary lighting system that enhances night-time usability and safety of the external spaces.
Across the NAS precinct, Ronstan’s tensile mesh and wire rope systems support both architectural expression and practical function—delivering compliant, corrosion-resistant mesh barrier solutions that align with the university’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and design excellence.
