Building Highlight - Union Court and Union Building

Union Building

Originally the ANU Student Union was housed within the building which became known as the Chancelry Annex and later the Pauline Griffin Building. With the Union quickly outgrowing the original Union Building, plans were made for a new centrally located Union Building, with a design by Yuncken Freeman Architects. 

The new Union Building, located within Union Court, was completed in March 1973 and was opened by the then Minister for Education, Kim Beazley.  

Arguably the most well-known aspect of the building was the Uni Bar (also known as the ANU Refectory), which hosted a huge variety of local and international acts including Nirvana, The Beastie Boys, Faith No More, The Violent Femmes, Lou Reed, Ben Folds Five, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Whitlams, The Living End and You Am I.   

In 2017-18 the Union Court precinct, including the Concessions and Union Buildings, were demolished to make way for the new Kambri Precinct, which opened in February 2019. 

Union Court

In 1972 University Avenue was converted into a pedestrian plaza to promote improved access to surrounding buildings.  

The area underwent a redevelopment in 2001, with a design by Cox Architects, resulting in an open square known as Union Court. 

Artist Deborah Halpern was commissioned by the University to design artworks for the Union Court area in 1999, and in 2001 her glazed tile artworks, entitled Spirit of Enquiry were installed around the court.  

In 2003 the area underwent further improvements with the installation of a ramp for cyclists between the upper and lower levels of University Avenue. 

During its history, Union Court served as a main hub of the campus and has been the scene for many events including Orientation Week activities, performances, markets and demonstrations.  

In 2017-18 the Union Court precinct, including the Concessions and Union Buildings, were demolished to make way for the new Kambri Precinct, which opened in February 2019. 

References

Tanner, H 2017, Australian National University Union Court at University Avenue Precinct Heritage Impact Assessment Report,

Winchester, B 2017, 'Thank you ANU Bar, for some of the best nights of our lives', Canberra Times, 2 January,