UTS and Uni of Tasmania buildings win architecture awards

Two university building projects are winners in the 2024 WAFX awards, which recognise architecture around the world that speaks to major global issues.

Impression of the National First Nations College at UTS which is planned to begin construction next year. (Warren and Mahoney, Greenaway Architects)

Two Australian university building projects have been named winners in the 2024 WAFX awards, which recognise architecture projects worldwide that speak to major global issues including climate change, technology, and ethics and values.

The University of Technology Sydney’s National First Nations College, which is due to begin construction next year, was awarded in the cultural identity category and the University of Tasmania’s Forestry Building is recognised in the building technology category.

The awards will be presented at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore in November.

The design for the 250-bed National First Nations College, selected by the university last year, connects with Indigenous culture and merges an accommodation tower with an existing 1950s vintage modernist building. It uses the colours of country and offers natural meeting places, both indoors and outdoors, with shapes and textures that evoke a landscape shaped by age.

Impression of the new University of Tasmania Forestry Building. (Woods Bagot)

UTS pro vice-chancellor (Indigenous leadership and engagement) Robynne Quiggin said Indigenous voices were central in designing the college, which aimed to “create an environment where students – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – can thrive and celebrate Indigenous identity and culture”.

The University of Tasmania Forestry Building is a restoration project in the Hobart central business district, creating a learning and research hub with public thoroughfares.