ANU Research School of Social Sciences

With higher education institutions competing to attract the best research talent and increase the stickiness’ of campuses, The Australian National University’s Research School of Social Sciences (ANU RSSS) is built around fostering a community of shared ideas between research staff and students.

Designed as a Forum in the Park,’ the building focuses on enhancing the research culture of the RSSS by co-locating academics seeking to respond to contemporary social and public policy challenges. Ingrained flexibility and technology, combined with both private and shared offices mean PhD students at differing stages of their candidature can come together for advice, consolation and camaraderie.

A central stair connecting the floors promotes connection and interaction between school departments, enhancing ANU’s reputation for innovation, excellence and internationally recognised scholarship.

Academics, PhD candidates and visitors wanting to do focussed, individual work have access to separate offices over five levels. Communal spaces, tea rooms, auditoriums and outdoor areas are distributed across the first two floors, designed to adapt to growth and changing demand as the RSSS continues to attract the best talent in the field of social sciences.

Client

The Australian National University

Location

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Canberra, Australia

Status

Completed

Year

2021

Scale

13,000sqm

Design team

David Homburg, Mariano DeDuonni, Liam Short, Mac Young, Gianna Zandel, Kyrstyan McLeod, Frank Smith, Sia Roussis, Adrian Kenyon, Edward Connelly, Hannah Price, Illia Karagianis, Matias Chadwick, Paul Suter, Sam Wee, Fiona Chong.

Photography

Mark Syke

The communal areas in the building are slowly (but surely) beginning to be used to foment research collaborations between different departments which has not occurred in decades. Undergrads pack the library and tea room most days, particularly during exams. There is a deep appreciation of the facilities and amenities on offer here, and their exciting potential for us in RSSS.”

Russell Buzby, School Manager, Research School of Social Sciences, ANU
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