Community

What if your campus residence wasn’t just a place to live but a blueprint for a sustainable future? Welcome to Colombo House, UNSW's first all-electric student residence.

UNSW is boldly stepping into the future with Colombo House, the university’s first all-electric student accommodation. Located at the heart of the Kensington campus, this pioneering building is powered entirely by electricity—no fossil fuels required. 

As part of UNSW’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions, Colombo House showcases sustainable living powered by renewable solar energy and innovative technologies.

Colombo House is just the beginning. Soon, all UNSW accommodation buildings will transition to all-electric operations, with our TKC and Fig Tree College next up. This will further reduce the campus’s carbon footprint and offer students a smarter, more sustainable way to live. 

Colombo House is not just a place to stay—it’s also leading the charge for a greener future on campus.

What happens when a student living on campus steps up to make a real impact? For Harrison Crisp, a ‘Basser College’ resident, it meant raising $25,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, all while uniting the UNSW community through the power of music.

At the 2024 UNSW Culture Awards, Harrison Crisp, a second-year Engineering student, was honoured with the Student Community Impact Award for his leadership in organising a fundraiser concert for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. The event raised $25,000, including $14,000 donated directly to the hospital. 

More than just raising funds, the concert brought together the UNSW and Sydney communities, demonstrating how music can foster inclusivity and inspire collective action. Harrison’s efforts—from securing local bands to promoting the event across campus—ensured broad participation and a meaningful experience for all involved.

Harrison’s leadership set a new standard for student-led initiatives, proving that students living on campus can drive change and leave a lasting impact. 

Harrison’s story reminds us that living on campus is more than just a place to stay—it’s about making connections, having an impact, and contributing to a community that thrives together.

The Colombo House 10-Year Birthday and Alumni Reunion was a memorable celebration, bringing together a close-knit group of alumni to honour a decade of memories.   

Under a cosy marquee in our courtyard, alumni from 2014 to 2023 gathered for a night filled with laughter and connection. The atmosphere was warm and inviting as old friends shared stories and reflected on their journeys since university.   

Dean of Colombo House, Michael Patoka, delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated with everyone present. “What a long way we’ve come in 10 years and how lucky we all are that you embraced these walls as your home and brought your ideas, contributions, and values to enhance this college” he remarked, emphasising the significance of Colombo House as one of our newest buildings and its lasting impact on our community.   

Proceeds from the evening went towards a bursary for future residents, ensuring the spirit of Colombo House lives on.   

Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating this milestone—here’s to the memories we’ve created and the community we hold dear!

A new pilot at Colombo House has shown just how much impact student engagement can make turning everyday kitchen scraps into real climate action.

UNSW Environmental Sustainability and UNSW Accommodation recently introduced food-waste sorting in the shared kitchen, supporting UNSW’s efforts to reduce landfill, cut emissions and prepare for the upcoming NSW EPA FOGO Mandate (June 2026).

The pilot focused on the ground-floor kitchen used by around 240 residents. A pre-pilot waste audit revealed that most of the red bin was actually food waste — 63% loose food and 19% food still in packaging. That meant the kitchen had the potential to divert up to 300kg of food waste every month.

To make better sorting simple, the project team installed 23-litre food caddies, added clear signage and labels, and hosted a launch event with a recycling pledge wall to get residents involved. Weekly reminders and Friendly’s 'bin chats' helped build confidence and good habits.

Just five weeks later, the follow-up audit showed impressive progress:

• Loose food waste in red bins dropped from 63% to 13%
• More than 250kg of food waste was correctly separated for recycling
• 525 kg CO₂-e emissions were avoided, with food waste processed by EarthPower into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost

Residents have embraced the change, with one student sharing: “For the first few days I forgot about it, but now I use it and love it — it’s so easy.”

The success of the pilot shows how small, well-supported changes can lead to meaningful environmental outcomes. With such positive results, UNSW Student Accommodation will roll out food-waste caddies to all Colombo House kitchens in 2026, helping UNSW move closer to its landfill-diversion goals.