A new university building inspired by the palette of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, with concertina-style windows that swell and billow, has won the City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s architecture prize.
The University of Technology Sydney, Science Faculty building seven, designed by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects and BVN Architecture, was last week awarded the prestigious prize at the Australian Institute of Architects’ annual NSW Architecture Awards at Sydney Town Hall.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the building on Thomas Street, Ultimo was an important part of a long-term master plan for the UTS and helped to integrate the open space of Alumni Green with the surrounding streetscape.
“The UTS is a unique major educational institution because it’s immersed in a city-centre landscape, right in the heart of Sydney,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This inspiring building, with its curved and billowing façade, helps to soften the landscape, while also maximising winter sunlight on the valuable park space known as Alumni Green, where students and teachers can enjoy their lunch and relax.
“The building also has a 5 Star Green rating and includes innovative air-conditioning, a green roof providing insulation, and a high amount of recycled materials.
“I congratulate the university, and Durbach Block Jaggers Architects and BVN Architecture, for having the vision to create such a strong design that works in harmony with its surrounds and provides educational spaces filled with light.”
The building contains a range of specialist research facilities, clinical teaching spaces and Australia’s largest undergraduate-science teaching space: a 200-seat “super lab”.
In its submission, the Potts Point-based Durbach Block Jaggers Architects and city centre-based BVN Architecture, said the design team was committed to making a truly sustainable building.
To achieve this, the design includes significant green features, such as:
A subterranean labyrinth beneath the Alumni Green where air to the building is pre-conditioned;
A glass building façade made from 97 per cent recycled glass, with 85 per cent coming from recycled domestic glass; and
A green roof that provides insulation and stormwater retention, with all water collected recycled for irrigation use.
“The building design has worked well with the landscape design by Aspect for Alumni Green,” the Lord Mayor said.
Check out CCN's Indoor Air Quality feature in the August edition of the magazine which is available later this month.
