Wardle completes second major new building at UTAS Launceston

The University of Tasmania has opened a new $45.5 million teaching and learning building at its Inveresk campus in Launceston.

The River's Edge building, designed by Wardle, is the second major new building at the campus, following the completion of the library in 2022.

The four-storey facility accommodates students and staff from the humanities, social sciences, law and education disciplines.

Overlooking the lakekeller (North Esk River), the building has been designed to prioritize views to the river and distant mountain tops.

The facade's saw-tooth geometry, inspired by the roofscapes of the surrounding industrial buildings, frames views to both natural landscapes.

"The flipped sawtooth design offers staff and students myriad spaces to access light and views," said John Wardle, founding partner of Wardle. "Each iteration of the sawtooth section is slightly wider than the one preceding it - allowing more of the view as you move closer to the river."

The interior of the building features a large atrium with a series of brick pods on the ground floor that house a range of collaborative teaching and student support programs. Large timber light wells echo the shape of the brick pods above.

The building features extensive use of Tasmanian timber throughout, which is one of the measures used to help it achieve a 32.5 percent reduction in embodied carbon, compared with similar projects. Other measures include using passive solar principles, recycled gas pipes used for foundation piles, and low-carbon concrete.

The building is also home to Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education, which includes a cultural garden that connects to Country and features native plants. The design of the centre explores how riawunna (circle) could be embedded in the design during engagement with Aboriginal communities. It also features elements designed in collaboration with local Indigenous artists.

"Wardle Architects, Fairbrother's many fine craftspeople and all the trades who worked on this build have created a truly great piece of architecture," said University of Tasmania vice-chancellor Rufus Black. "It is a truly beautiful place for students, staff and the community alike. It is celebration of so much that makes Launceston one of the world's great regional cities."

River's Edge is one of six projects at the University of Tasmania's $304 million transformation of the Launceston campus. Other projects include the refurbishment of two buildings (the Stone Building and Architecture Building, designed by BVN and Xsquared Architects), the urban realm designed by Realm Studios, and the Library and Shed (Willis Street Building), both by Wardle.