University of Sydney New Law School and Teaching Complex

At a glance

Project by: FJMT - Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp
Location: Sydney, Australia

Preview image

University of Sydney New Law School and Teaching Complex (FJMT - Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp)

© John Gollings

Project images

	The Faculty of Law at University of Sydney, view from Eastern Avenue, the main artery of the Campus. © John Gollings View project image
	The material of the splintered forms that define the Faculty are layers of glass and timber louvers suspended on fine stainless steel rods creating a kinetic grain to these splinters that changes with the position of the sun and preferences of those behind these timber screens. The gentle curve of the plywood louver creates its own structural brace and rigidity while softening the daylight around its profile. © John Gollings View project image
	The Faculty of Law from the Park. © John Gollings View project image
	Broad public steps fold the ground of the podium to meet the park. A curvilinear profiled form of stainless steel penetrates the primary platform delineating the open space as a figure against the silent backdrop of the adjacent library stack, announcing the presences of the Law Library below as it draws in and reflects natural light. © John Gollings View project image
	The stairs down to the Law Library curves around the light tower and the ribbon-floating roof follows through. © John Gollings View project image
	The Faculty of Law Library with its curved ceiling. © John Gollings View project image
	Emphasis is placed on informal and social spaces. © John Gollings View project image
	Inside the light tower. © FJMT/Andrew Chung View project image
	The elements of the façade; the thin glass bridge that is the informal meeting place of students and teachers suspended at the edge between city and campus, and the slightly curved timber louvres. © FJMT/Andrew Chung View project image
	Emphasis is placed on informal teaching and collaboration spaces such as the ‘social-hub’ bridges that form an urban window framing the new campus entry. Here teachers and students are suspended in a transparent layer between city and campus, over new public spaces and a more open and equitable campus. © FJMT/Andrew Chung View project image
	Looking through the innovative triple skin façade with automated timber sunshading louvers through to the adjacent park. © FJMT/Andrew Chung View project image
	Sketch © FJMT - Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp View project image

Architect's statement

This project redefines the relationship of the University to the City, creating a generous new public domain and entrance that opens the campus to both Victoria Park and City beyond, with the study of law balanced at this edge.

Significant new teaching and library spaces are lit from above within a podium structure to create a series of new public open-spaces for the campus. New built form defines these spaces and urban gateways with layered surfaces of suspended glass and timber louvers, sculptural profiles of stainless steel and point fixed glass. These are kinetic, responsive and intelligent new buildings that respond equally to environmental conditions, the movement of the sun and the preference of each of the occupants.

It is a project of significant architectural and environmental innovation that includes a fully ventilated double skin façade system with automated twisted timber louvers to control heat, light and sun; a sculptural stainless steel light tower that ventilates stale hot air and draws in natural light; a series of ‘social-hub’ bridges that suspend teachers and students above the campus and park in informal spaces of collaboration as important as the high-technology formal lecture theatres, case rooms and moot court.