Building Highlight - Toad Hall

Toad Hall differs significantly from most other ANU halls of residence in relation to its location and administration. While most of the student residences are near each other in the Dickson Precinct, Toad Hall is located on the northern edge of the campus on Kingsley Street. Administratively, unlike the other student residences, Toad Hall has a governing body rather than a warden and the governing body is comprised mainly of student residents.  

The building was designed by architect John Andrews and constructed between 1973-74, opening its doors on April Fools’ Day 1974, a day which is celebrated annually by residents with a Friends and Follies party. Toad Hall was comprised of seven interlocking blocks of four levels of accommodation, with each level comprising a set of bed/study rooms sharing a kitchen, bathrooms and a common room. 

The name Toad Hall was chosen by residents, in reference to Kenneth Graeme’s novel The Wind in the Willows and the building’s proximity to the willow trees nearby on the banks of Sullivans Creek.  

The Hall caters for 227 mostly postgraduate students. 

References

Toad Hall n.d., Australian National University,

45 Years of Toad Hall 2019, Australian National University Strategic Communications & Public Affairs,

Toad Hall celebrated 40 Years on 2014, Australian National University Strategic Communications & Public Affairs,