‘The Forest’ has won the Sydney Blythe Award for Educational Architecture and the Barry McNeill Award for Sustainable Architecture at the 2026 Tasmanian Architecture Awards. The project will now progress to the National Architecture Awards program, taking place in October.

The Tasmanian Architecture Awards night took place on Saturday 30 May, where thirty-one projects were recognised across seventeen categories and prizes. The evening was held within beneath the dome within The Forest campus, attended by architects and designers, industry peers and other project contributors. 

Jury chair Martin Stephenson said notable across many of the recognised projects was the “respect for existing buildings and a careful and restrained approach to conservation and integration of the new.”

“Whether it be a significant civic building extension or a reinterpretation of the humble Tasmanian shack, a clear theme of respect for physical and social history prevails in this year’s entries and highlights what outstanding architecture can achieve,” said Stephenson.

Woods Bagot Design Director Bruno Mendes said it is a huge honour to be recognised by an esteemed panel of industry peers for outstanding achievement in two distinct categories. 

“The Forest demonstrates how considered design, sustainable construction, and stakeholder alignment can create dynamic, inclusive, and resilient education infrastructure that not only benefits the university but the wider Tasmanian public,” says Mendes.

“It’s a true testament of what can be achieved when government policy, client brief, and architectural vision are all aligned.” 

Sydney Blythe Award for Educational Architecture

The Education Architecture Award recognises designs that elevate the learning experience across schools, universities, and other educational institutions. The Forest has received the Sydney Blythe named award for Education Architecture, making it a standout for its category.

Mendes says The Forest is designed to satisfy the senses through fresh air, natural light, and integrated landscape.

“Contemporary learning landscapes are increasingly valued for their provision of biophilic connections, visual interest, and considerations for health and wellbeing,” says Mendes.

“Underscored by a connection to place, the design appeals to the senses by introducing honest, local materials and native plant selection informed by the site’s precolonial history.”

The campus activates an entire city block with through-site links, landscaped green spine, pedestrianised thoroughfares and a continuous ground plane.

Woods Bagot Global Education Sector Leader Sarah Ball says the campus design responds to contemporary pedagogical practices with a strong emphasis on connection. 

“Flexibility, wellbeing and integration of the natural environment have a tangible impact on learning outcomes, and these principles have informed the way we curate spaces for education,” says Ball.  “The connective ground plane reflects the university’s pedagogical shifts away from disciplinary silos and towards an integrated, collaborative learning landscape.” 

As a prime example of urban regeneration, the project returns the site to the community, elevating the role of education within Tasmania’s civic and public life.

Barry McNeill Award for Sustainable Architecture

The Sustainability Award recognises industry leadership in carbon reduction and environmentally responsible design. The Forest has received the Barry McNeill named award for Sustainable Architecture, demonstrating excellence in sustainability outcomes.

The University of Tasmania is the leading university in the world for climate action, recognised for its high-impact research, carbon-neutral operations, renewable energy use, and commitment to sustainability. Throughout the design process, the architecture has upheld the university’s ethos and ambitions for climate responsiveness, achieving a 40% reduction in upfront carbon compared to a reference scenario, independently verified via an as-built life cycle assessment.

Through a highly complex adaptive-reuse process, the project involved the retention and restoration of the building’s heritage fabric while integrating modern building services and creating contemporary learning spaces. Materials recovery has helped to radically reduce the project’s carbon footprint while preserving the emplaced heritage of a historically rich site.

The flagship Hobart campus strengthens the university’s CBD presence and improves access to higher education.

The Forest will now progress into the Institute’s National Awards program, judged against all other state and territory winners, with overall winners announced in October. 

The jury for the 2026 Tasmanian Architecture Awards was Martin Stephenson RAIA of Rosevear Stephenson (jury chair), Kate Symons RAIA of Studio Ilk, Maddie Sewell from up To Something, Felix Blackman RAIA of BE-Architects, and Dr Julian Worrall from the University of Tasmania.

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