The Palawa people
Tasmania
The Shed is the home for health, medicine, science education and research for the University of Tasmania. The building forms a new interface between the city of Launceston and the Inveresk Precinct now realised as part of the Northern Transformation Program at the University.
The design reflects the principles of the development in Inveresk as a shared precinct, accessible and open for all. Located at the precinct’s southern edge, it acts as a navigational marker – establishing a strong sense of arrival, an inviting place to be that’s easy to navigate.
The building’s form draws its program into two elongated sheds that recall the proportions of Inveresk’s many 19th century railway buildings. Sitting between these sheds is a courtyard-like atrium, while a vividly rendered pathway supports wayfinding and binds both sheds and occupants together creating a lively interior.
The Shed was designed to be integral to transforming access to education in northern Tasmania. It is already doing just that. Deeply sensitive to the rich history of the site, revealing learning in action, inventive its form and welcoming in feel, it’s sparking curiosity, delight, and a sense that anyone is welcome and can take the life transforming step of higher education. The building is welcoming to all and brings a sense of wonder, even awe, so people feel pride in it the way in another time they might have felt pride in the finely built cathedral in their town.
John Wardle, Design Architect
James Loder, Graduate of Architecture
Minnie Cade, Project Architect
Kristina Levenko, Graduate of Architecture
Ricardo Hernandez, Graduate of Architecture
Sam Clegg, Graduate of Architecture
Cassandra Tom, Graduate of Architecture
Eric Nakajima, Graduate of Architecture
Mike Macauley, Graduate of Architecture
Belinda Au, Interior Designer
Alex Biernacki, Graduate of Architecture
Malisa Benjamins, Graduate of Architecture
Chloe Lanser, Graduate of Architecture
Berenice Mellis, Graduate of Architecture
Jeff Arnold, Interior Designer
Integral Group, AV, Building Services, Communications, Electrical, ESD, Fire Protection, Hydraulics, Mechanical, Security
Gandy & Roberts, Civil & structural engineering
Aspect Studios, Landscape Consultant
WSP, Facade Engineering
Marshall Day, Acoustic Consultant
Lee Tyers, Building Surveyor
IreneInc, Town Planner
Slattery, Quantity Surveyor
Equality Building, Accessibility consultant
Studio Semaphore, Wayfinding
Umow + Wooster, AV consultant + Security consultant
Mel Consult, Wind cosultant
VIPAC, Wind consultant
Geo-Environmental Solutions, Geotechnical consultant
Castellan, Fire Engineer
ESTAS, Services Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
