Building Highlight - Australian Centre on China in the World

The Australian Centre on China in the World (中华全球研究中心) is located at the heart of the campus near Sullivans Creek and looking north towards Black Mountain. It aims to be an integrated and world-leading institution for Chinese Studies. 

The building was designed by Gerald Szeto 司徒佐 of Mo Atelier Szeto Architects, Beijing, in conjunction with the Canberra firm Munns Sly Moore and built by the construction company Hindmarsh. It was opened by Senator Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, on 27 October 2015. 

The building features elements of both Australian and Chinese design. Some of the Chinese design elements include a spirit wall to shield the entryway, a rock garden positioned to be in harmony with the Five Sacred Mountains of China, and a red moon gate on the main doors. 

The Centre also features two architectural window patterns – the Plum Blossom and the Pinwheel. The Plum Blossom design was inspired by features found in Ming and Qing gardens. Imperial red and book-binding blue were chosen for the Pinwheel window’s colours and are complimented by two hand-crafted glass windows by Canberra sculptor Elizabeth Kelly in the boardroom and executive foyer.

In 2014 the building won the Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture and Art in Architecture Award at the ACT Architecture Awards.     

 

References

Australian Centre on China in the World 2015, Hindmarsh,  

Australian National University College of Asia & the Pacific 2016, Our building, <http://ciw.anu.edu.au/about/our-building>  

Australian Centre on China in the World. Photograph courtesy of Hindmarsh.

Australian Centre on China in the World. Photograph courtesy of Hindmarsh.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photograph courtesy of ANU College of Asia & The Pacific.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photograph courtesy of ANU College of Asia & The Pacific.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Ben Wrigley. Photograph courtesy of Association for Learning Environments.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Ben Wrigley. Photograph courtesy of Association for Learning Environments.

Australian Centre on China in the World auditorium, undated. Photographer: Ben Wrigley. Photograph courtesy of the Association for Learning Environments

Australian Centre on China in the World auditorium, undated. Photographer: Ben Wrigley. Photograph courtesy of the Association for Learning Environments

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Stuart Hay. Photograph courtesy of ANU Reporter.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Stuart Hay. Photograph courtesy of ANU Reporter.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Stuart Hay. Photograph courtesy of ANU Reporter.

Australian Centre on China in the World, undated. Photographer: Stuart Hay. Photograph courtesy of ANU Reporter.