2021 National Commendation for Urban Design

Jury citation

The QUT Campus to Country: Positioning Strategy is an effective urban design proposition and an architectural framework that provides an innovative and iterative model for built-environment practice in which Indigenous narratives and knowledges are embedded and acknowledged. The document contains a series of spatial prompts to be considered during planning to ensure the confluence of culture, identity, people and place, and principals to guide the development of future campus building projects at QUT. The foundation principle of this clear and robust document is the meaning of Country, which is central to the culture, identity and spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One of the tenets of the strategy is the development of a deeper understanding and recognition of “connection to Country,” particularly with regards to the significance of the lands on which QUT operates.

For QUT, the document is a guidebook for internal and external engagement – it will shape and inform project development delivery and seeks to evolve the experience of the university’s campus facilities for staff, students and the local community. The QUT Campus to Country: Positioning Strategy is a future-focused architectural project that commits the university to being of its place through the creation of a built environment that is reflective of culture past and present, embedded in Country and community-enriching.

Project credits

Architect: BVN; Project team: Kevin O’Brien, Brian Donovan, Charlotte Canning, Bridget Tighe; Other consultants: Simone Wise, Leon Design, QUT Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor; Photographer Nikolas Strugar

QUT Campus to Country by BVN is located in Brisbane, Queensland on the land of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples.