Building Highlight - Department of Oriental Studies / College of Law Building

Building Australia's National University: 75 Years of the Australian National University

The College of Law precinct was one of the earliest precincts constructed on the campus and originally housed the Department of Oriental Studies (also known as the Department of Asian Studies). Thomas O’Mahony, of O’Mahony Neville & Morgan, was engaged to prepare an overall site plan for the Faculty of Law in the early 1960s. His brief included the design of the main Faculty of Law buildings as well as a small staff café and general sporting facilities to the west. 

The first wing was constructed in 1965, with the complex of buildings designed and constructed over a lengthy period in 1960s and 1970s. O’Mahony designed the buildings to sit within the pre-existing Old Administration Area (OAA). This allowed the University to take full advantage of the pre-existing accommodation in the OAA buildings while the permanent facilities were under construction.  

The architectural characteristics demonstrate elements of the late 20th century stripped classical style including the symmetrical facades, a horizontal skyline and a lack of classical detailing. The arches are clad in 'special rendered facing' specifically chosen for the complex. The windows are spaced uniformly throughout the complex, to provide a vertical perspective to the long horizontal buildings. 

The complex consists of two double storey wings and a three storey Law Link Building.  

The North Wing originally housed the Department of Oriental Studies, as it was known in 1965. The design was completed by O’Mahony, Neville & Morgan in association with Bunning & Madden.  

The South Wing and Link were also the work of O’Mahony, Neville & Morgan, with the original design and construction in 1968 and further work in 1975.   

Arguably one of the most outstanding features of the precinct are the two large oak trees occupying a central position in Latham Court, on the Law lawns. 

In 2017, the ANU undertook a substantial building renovation and refurbishment project to the iconic Fellows Road Law buildings, with a design by Guida Moseley Brown Architects. Between 2017 and 2020 a major refurbishment of the precinct was undertaken to provide enhanced teaching and learning spaces. 

 

References

Australian National University n.d., Acton Campus site inventory,  

 

Sketch of design for Law Building by O'Mahony Neville and Morgan Architects, early 1960s (ANUA226-556-5).

Sketch of design for Law Building by O'Mahony Neville and Morgan Architects, early 1960s (ANUA226-556-5).

Department of Oriental Studies Building (later College of Law Building), c. 1960s (ANUA226-554-22).

Department of Oriental Studies Building (later College of Law Building), c. 1960s (ANUA226-554-22).

Department of Asian Studies Building (later College of Law Building), c. 1960s (ANUA226-554-1).

Department of Asian Studies Building (later College of Law Building), c. 1960s (ANUA226-554-1).

Students relax in the cloisters between lectures, c. 1970 (ANUA226-554-16).

Students relax in the cloisters between lectures, c. 1970 (ANUA226-554-16).

A Japanese lecture in the Asian Studies Language Laboratory, undated (ANUA226-553-31). Photographer: Australian News and Information Bureau.

A Japanese lecture in the Asian Studies Language Laboratory, undated (ANUA226-553-31). Photographer: Australian News and Information Bureau.

Main Lecture Theatre of the Law Building, April 1969 (ANUA226-557).

Main Lecture Theatre of the Law Building, April 1969 (ANUA226-557).

College of Law Extension, 2019. Image courtesy of the ANU College of Law.

College of Law Extension, 2019. Image courtesy of the ANU College of Law.

Interior of the College of Law Extension, c. 2019. Photographer: John Gollings, City News.

Interior of the College of Law Extension, c. 2019. Photographer: John Gollings, City News.

College of Law lawns, 2017. Image courtesy of Woroni.

College of Law lawns, 2017. Image courtesy of Woroni.