A superb example of adventurous design and the use of timber in contemporary architecture, the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne, was awarded the WoodSolutions Overall Winners’ prize at this year’s Timber Design Awards.
The project was a collaborative design between Melbourne’s John Wardle Architects and NADAAA (Boston). The Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne was created to accommodate students and staff from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. Over six levels, it includes a series of studio spaces, a studio hall and atrium, lecture theatres, a library, exhibition spaces and specialist workshop areas. It also integrates two significant historical elements, the 1856 facade of the Bank of NSW and the ‘Japanese Room’.
In their Awards entry, the architects stressed the importance of sustainability and the role of wood products in effective environmental design. The building has achieved a 6-Star Green Star Education (v1) rating (design) and is the first educational building to achieve 10 Green Star innovation points.
Australia’s most prestigious design awards for the use of timber in the built environment, the Australian Timber Design Awards are now in their 16th year. From their inception, the Awards have expanded to accommodate the evolving use of new and innovative timber products and the changing demands of clients on architects, designers and engineers.
A comprehensive case study of the Melbourne School of Design is available on the WoodSolutions website at: https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Inspiration-Case-Study/Melbourne-School-of-Design
Stay tuned – we’ll be bringing you details of winners in the other 22 categories over the coming week.
Credits: Melbourne School of Design – The University of Melbourne; John Wardle Architects & NADAAA in collaboration; Peter Bennetts Photography.
