On the lands of the Ngunnawal Nation
Australian Capital Territory
Gray Puksand converted a vast campus into a more compact ‘vertical campus’ for Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). Its innovative timber construction frames its groundbreaking learning spaces and enhances the layered connection to Country experience. Abundant raw timber in technologically advanced learning spaces transforms them into warm and welcoming environments, instantly and recognisably ‘CIT’. Specialist learning spaces have sophisticated industry-like functionality, meanwhile, the strong presence of timber, paired with a material palette that connects to Country, creates an appealing ambiance and strong sense of place. The Ngunnawal ‘Walking the Ridgeline’ story is layered through the building. The material palette of each floor draws on the macro themes of the building as they rise through the vertical campus: Valley, Bush, Mountain, and Sky Country. CIT Woden sets a benchmark in using new sustainable construction technology to frame high tech interiors with warmth while deepening its connection to Country.
Award for Interior Architecture
The CIT Woden campus by Gray Puksand delivers a rich and cohesive interior environment that supports contemporary learning through clarity, warmth and adaptability. Organised as a sequence of interconnected volumes, the interiors promote visual connection, intuitive wayfinding and a strong sense of community across diverse teaching and social spaces.
Materiality is shaped through a First Nations co-design approach, with each level expressing a distinct relationship to Country, from grounded, earthy tones to the light-filled “Sky Country” commons, creating a layered and legible spatial narrative.
Purpose-built, industry-aligned facilities for hospitality, beauty, trades and media production are seamlessly integrated, enabling hands-on learning within highly resolved, state-of-the-art environments. Flexible learning settings and socially activated circulation spaces further support interaction and engagement.
The result is an interior architecture that is culturally resonant, highly functional and enduring in its support of evolving educational models.
Social Impact Prize
The CIT Woden campus by Gray Puksand demonstrates how educational architecture can act as a catalyst for meaningful social impact. Positioned within the heart of Woden, the campus transforms a once-isolated transport site into an open, inclusive and highly accessible civic destination that welcomes students, workers and the broader community.
The project prioritises equity and participation through a porous ground plane, clear wayfinding and universally accessible spaces that support users of all ages and abilities. Publicly accessible learning environments and industry-connected facilities enable students to develop skills that directly contribute to the life, economy and future resilience of the city.
Engagement with First Nations advisors embeds cultural narratives that enrich identity and belonging, while local procurement and partnerships extend social and economic benefit beyond the site.
By aligning environmental responsibility with education and opportunity, the project strengthens community, supports pathways to employment and delivers lasting civic value.
Award for Interior Architecture
The CIT Woden campus by Gray Puksand delivers a rich and cohesive interior environment that supports contemporary learning through clarity, warmth and adaptability. Organised as a sequence of interconnected volumes, the interiors promote visual connection, intuitive wayfinding and a strong sense of community across diverse teaching and social spaces.
Materiality is shaped through a First Nations co-design approach, with each level expressing a distinct relationship to Country, from grounded, earthy tones to the light-filled “Sky Country” commons, creating a layered and legible spatial narrative.
Purpose-built, industry-aligned facilities for hospitality, beauty, trades and media production are seamlessly integrated, enabling hands-on learning within highly resolved, state-of-the-art environments. Flexible learning settings and socially activated circulation spaces further support interaction and engagement.
The result is an interior architecture that is culturally resonant, highly functional and enduring in its support of evolving educational models.
Social Impact Prize
The CIT Woden campus by Gray Puksand demonstrates how educational architecture can act as a catalyst for meaningful social impact. Positioned within the heart of Woden, the campus transforms a once-isolated transport site into an open, inclusive and highly accessible civic destination that welcomes students, workers and the broader community.
The project prioritises equity and participation through a porous ground plane, clear wayfinding and universally accessible spaces that support users of all ages and abilities. Publicly accessible learning environments and industry-connected facilities enable students to develop skills that directly contribute to the life, economy and future resilience of the city.
Engagement with First Nations advisors embeds cultural narratives that enrich identity and belonging, while local procurement and partnerships extend social and economic benefit beyond the site.
By aligning environmental responsibility with education and opportunity, the project strengthens community, supports pathways to employment and delivers lasting civic value.
We tasked Gray Puksand with consolidating our previously expansive campus into a single state-of-the-art vertical building, with interiors that support contemporary teaching, learning and industry engagement. The interior planning prioritises clear wayfinding, visibility and connection, with specialist, industry-like learning spaces located on the ground floor to activate the campus and invite community interaction.
Across upper levels, flexible interior layouts, digitally enabled learning spaces, studios, workshops and laboratories support a wide range of disciplines within a reduced footprint. The exposed timber structure introduces warmth, texture and legibility, creating interiors that are functional, sustainable and distinctly CIT.
Barry Hackett, Project Architect
Amanda Fyfe, Interior Design
Craig Saltmarsh, Project Architect
Stephen Turner, Project Architect
Donna Wheatley, Design Architect
Ian Hollen, Design
Paulina Markos, Interior Designer
Apeksha Wimalaweera, Project Architect
Fionn Oleary, Architectural Designer
Leviang Teng, Interior Designer
Mark Bishop, Architectural Designer
Sarah Wood, Architectural Designer
Thomas Aitken, Architectural Technician
Stewart Murray, Architectural Technician
Zain Khan, Architectural Technician
Han Lin, Graduate of Architecture
ROBERT BIRD GROUP, Structural Engineer
AECOM, Security
AECOM, Electrical Consultant
AECOM, Communications
AECOM, Mechanical
AECOM, Fire
AECOM, Sustainability
VITAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS, Hydraulic Consultant
VITAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS, Civil Consultant
VITAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS, Waste
ACOUSTIC LOGIC, Acoustic Consultant
AUDIO SYSTEMS LOGIC, AV Consultant
BCA CERTIFIERS, BCA
LENDLEASE INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS, ICT / Smart
SQC ARCHITECTURE, DDA
APEX FACADES, Facade
WARRINGTON, Fire Engineering
DnG, Geotech
SQC ARCHITECTURE, Heritage Consultant
ASPECT STUDIOS, Landscape Consultant
ID-LAB, Signage / Graphics / Wayfinding
TOWN PLANNING, Town Planner
RWDI, Wind Engineering
VITAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS, Civil Consultant
RELOCATION LAWS, Relocations
YERRABINGIN, Cultural Consultant
ROBERT BIRD GROUP, Structural Engineer
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Electrical Consultant
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Security
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Communications
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Mechanical
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Fire
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Sustainability
NORMAN DISNEY YOUNG, Hydraulic Consultant
GHD, Pedestrian Modeling
TACTIX, Human Factors Design Analysis