The jury unanimously agreed that The Forest is deserving of the Premier Award for its innovation evident across its design, including its original use of materials and overall consideration given to every space.

“This university project is a celebration of beauty enhanced by the fact that it is underpinned by noble, complex and innovative systems of sustainability, protection, heritage and education,” the jury citation reads.

“The Forest is exemplary interior design that is world-class, using sustainability principles that are unparalleled. It is sumptuous yet based on a rigorous strategy, and possesses narrative that is rarely seen nationally or internationally in a civic building. The jury commended its balance of innovation and adaptive reuse with beautiful natural materials and a palette supported by a well-resolved layout and engaging spaces for the students.

Woods Bagot Associate and Interior Design Leader Phoebe Settle accepted the award on behalf of the project team, stating this top achievement was the result of a collaborative approach and coherent vision from conception through to completion.

“I’m incredibly proud to have led the interior design for The Forest and to see it recognised with the Premier Award: an outcome that reflects a genuinely ambitious and collaborative approach,” says Settle.

“The project set out to integrate sustainability, material innovation and storytelling at every level, and it’s rewarding to see that depth of thinking acknowledged by the jury. This recognition is a testament to the client and project team’s commitment.”

The Forest also took home the top award for the Public Design category, recognising design achievements across typologies including galleries, museums, places of worship, educational institutions, railway stations, and more.

“The Forest is a large, highly navigable university project with multiple layers of space for people to spend time in. Its adaptive reuse of an existing building and sustainable products and construction methodologies has given rise to a warm and adaptable environment for students,” the jury citation reads.

“The jury commended it for being an exemplary interior design project that features a balance between its civic scale and detailing at the tactile human level, which can so often get lost in big public projects. There’s both a simplicity and spatial richness in the design that boasts wonderful spatial arrangement, as well as an innovative use of materials reflective of the Tasmanian environment.”

Settle adds that this recognition reflects the project’s “meaningful impact on both the University of Tasmania and the broader Hobart community”.

“The Forest creates a welcoming, inclusive environment that strengthens the university’s civic presence while contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the city,” Settle says.

The Forest by Woods Bagot was a joint category winner, sharing the top prize with Metro Tunnel Project – Town Hall Station by Hassell, Weston Williamson and Partners, and RSHP.

Taking out a third award, the campus was recognised as Best in State for Commercial Design for Tasmania. This award acknowledges the project’s state significance for interior design advancement, showcasing industry leadership in commercial design.

Finally, The Forest was awarded a commendation for Sustainability Advancement, recognising the project’s deep commitment to carbon reduction and environmentally responsible design.

As the Melbourne studio’s Global Impact Group (GIG) leader, Settle says she was incredibly proud to see the project recognised in this category, acknowledging the project team’s steps to embedding rigorous environmental strategies and performance in the design.  

“Beyond its technical rigour, it also delivers spaces that feel generous, grounded and genuinely good to be in, supporting the wellbeing of its users while advancing the University of Tasmania’s sustainability ambitions,” adds Settle.

Convened by Geraldine Maher, Director of Maher Design, the jury for 2026 comprises Mardi Doherty (founder and principal, Studio Doherty), Iva Foschia (director, IF Architecture), Paul Foskett (principal and head of interior design APAC, Populous), Alessandra French (co-founder, State of Kin), Tim Greer (director, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects), Brahman Perera (director, Brahman Perera), Eva-Marie Prineas (principal, Studio Prineas), and Kirsti Simpson (studio chair and global leader of workplace interior design, Woods Bagot).

Read the full list of winners on the ArchitectureAU website.

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Isla Sutherland
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