Parkes

Parkes design

Following extensive community, stakeholder, and government feedback in 2023, Hassell refined the initial concept design, preparing the Parkes Development – Design Update. This second concept was officially approved by the ACT Government in late 2024.

Key design principles

The design of Parkes prioritises two fundamental principles:

Indicative Constitution Ave frontage

Sustainable design

Sustainability

Sustainability has been a key requirement in the Parkes project design and is being designed through:

Fully electric buildings.

Highly efficient building services.

Facades designed to maximise views and daylight while balancing thermal comfort requirements and glare minimisation.

Water efficient fixtures and fittings.

Bicycle parking and end of trip facilities.

Landscape areas which support wellbeing, community interaction and relaxation.

Social inclusion.

Incorporating adaptability and agility by designing an entirely flexible floorplate.

Embodied carbon – low carbon local material selection.

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Connecting to Country

The Parkes development will celebrate First Nations culture and provide opportunity for connection with country.

Guided by water

Water is important to all parts of Country including the Parkes site in Canberra. Inspired by water and the contours of the original landscape, the building design embraces fluidity of lines and shapes that promote ease of flow and movement.

Protective skin

First Nations peoples wore possum skins for protection in both winter and summer. The design of Building 1 incorporates this concept into its curved façade. The result is a softer, more human-scaled surface that fosters a sense of warmth and connection. The building’s terracotta coloration takes inspiration from the hues of the red-flowered Kurrajong, which flower from late Spring to Autumn.

Submerged stories

Beneath Lake Burley Griffin, hidden limestone caves along the Molonglo River hold stories shaped by time and water, remnants of history submerged yet still present.

The Parkes building designs accommodate spaces that reflect careful consideration of:

Honouring women’s business
Dedicated women-led spaces and art representing women’s stories.

Connection to Country
Expressed through the use of native plant species that reflect the local ecology.

Yarning and gathering
Purpose-built spaces designed to support storytelling, dialogue and community connection.

Water brought to site
Incorporation of wetland filtration systems reflected in both the landscape and the design of Precinct signage.

Learning alongside Country
Outdoor learning environments that foster education in connection with land, plants and seasonal cycles.

Indicative view from Constitution Ave

About

�ʹڲ�Ʊ Canberra is advancing the Canberra City Master Plan with the commencement of the Parkes Stage 1 development.

This first stage will see the construction of two six-story, contemporary buildings designed by internationally award-winning architecture firm .

These multi-use and contemporary buildings feature state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, retail outlets, cultural and student-focused spaces, and dedicated areas for both new and existing industry partners.

The buildings will be physically connected by a series of elevated bridges on the upper levels, designed to foster interaction and collaboration among students, staff and research partners – integrated in function while maintaining their own unique character and architectural identity.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with completion targeted for 2028.

Project architects

�ʹڲ�Ʊ has engaged award-winning international architecture practice to lead the design of Parkes.

Hassell brings extensive experience in education and campus design, with projects including the ANU Birch Building and the ANU Research School of Physics at the Australian National University in Canberra, the Michael Kirby Building at Macquarie University in Sydney, and the Usher Building at the University of Edinburgh in the UK.

Their portfolio spans sectors and the globe, with projects such as Riverside Green in Brisbane, Park Avenue Central in Shanghai, Central Green Forest Park in Beijing, HSBC in Hong Kong, Sixty Martin Place in Sydney, Melbourne Metro and the First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank in the UK.

Indicative facade from Constitution Ave

Interior of Parkes (artist's impression)

Construction Manager

The Construction Manager for Stage 1 of the Parkes project will be appointed prior to the commencement of construction, later this year.

Further updates will be provided once the appointment is confirmed.

Canberra City Precinct

The precinct, beginning in Reid and extending to Parkes by 2028, will expand our offerings in Canberra - delivering world class education, research and innovation within the National Defence and security corridor.

Visit Reid