The use of structural steel formwork has helped build a new A$7 million Queensland college campus in record time. Varsity College is adjacent to the Bond University in Varsity Lakes - a A$1 billion fully integrated urban community delivering a live, learn, work and play environment near Coolangatta Airport at Robina.

Varsity College middle school project architect Brian Kidd from Burling Brown Partners said the builders used approximately 1,350 square metres of LYSAGHT BONDEK® structural steel formwork in suspended slabs over steel work.

The steel formwork acted as a roof during construction and enabled the builders to avoid wet weather delay.

"The use of LYSAGHT BONDEK® was critical as it helped us construct seven buildings worth A$7 million in 22 weeks so students could start school in January of this year," Brian Kidd said.

The Varsity College is a state of the art educational facility that offers students a comfortable, dynamic learning environment.

The College currently has a population of 1230 students and 110 teaching and non-teaching staff at the middle, junior and pre-school campuses.

The middle school buildings feature LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® steel roofing made from COLORBOND® steel in the colour Deep Ocean®. LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® accents external walls, while LYSAGHT MINI ORB® eaves feature prominently throughout Varsity College Middle School.

Other steel products used include galvanised steel handrails, steel roof framing with exposed tapered rafters and steel bracing and framing exposed externally for aesthetic purposes.

The entire Varsity Lakes College will cater for students from pre-school age to Year 12 when completed.

Varsity College is being hailed as the ultimate in public school education with the middle school having a ratio of one computer for every two children.

Varsity Lakes will employ up to 4,500 workers in areas such as technology, research and development, business development, support services, education and retail.