First stage of UNSW Canberra City campus under construction

Construction has commenced on the first stage of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra City campus, the tertiary institution's second campus in the Territory.

A masterplan for the staged development, prepared by MGS Architects, Snøhetta and Turf Design Studio, was approved by the ACT government in April 2023. Once complete, the campus will facilitate education and research in areas such as defence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital engineering, and climate and public policy. It is anticipated to accommodate up to 5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The first stage of the project involves the development of two multipurpose buildings at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Coranderrk Street in Parkes, designed by Hassell. The buildings, named Parkes West and Parkes East, are each defined by a distinct character and massing.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr visited the site today to mark the start of construction on the first stage, describing the campus as a key part of the ACT government's plans to foster innovation, education and economic growth in the capital.

"It will not only deliver a campus that revitalises the eastern edge of the Canberra CBD, but also bring new employment and students - attracting about 6,000 more students and educators to Canberra," said Barr. "Today's sod turning is a major milestone for the project, which is a cornerstone of our city-shaping agenda - supporting urban renewal, industry collaboration and innovation in areas such as cybersecurity, defence and artificial intelligence."

In their communique, UNSW stated the campus precinct has been designed with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, with buildings set to incorporate "low-carbon materials, energy-efficient systems and climate-responsive design." Landscaped green spaces, pedestrian pathways and end-of-trip facilities will support vehicle-free, active transport.

Djinjama and Ngurra Advisory provided consultation on honouring and Connecting with Country in the design.

The campus is expected to be completed in time to welcome students in early 2028.