Photo: Woods Bagot
Construction is now underway on the restoration and redevelopment of the Forestry building in Hobart after the project was approved by the City of Hobart in May 2022. Source: ArchitectureAU
Formerly the headquarters for Forestry Tasmania, the iconic domed building has been vacant for several years following Forestry Tasmania vacating the premises in 2017.
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) purchased the site in 2018 as part of its Southern Campus Transformation and engaged Woods Bagot to lead the design of the redevelopment.
Following its renewal, the building will become home to university’s College of Business and Economics and the Law School, as well as administrative offices.
Once completed, it will house 300 staff and provide contemporary, accessible facilities to support 3,000 students.
The heritage-listed building on Melville Street comprises two original 1930s warehouses with a 22-metre-diametre glass dome originally designed by Circa Morris-Nunn Chua.
“Seeing the building fall into disuse was really sad,” said Robert Morris-Nunn. “It’s been truly amazing for the building to become part of the University and to know that it will be renovated, the forest replanted, and the space filled with students and given back the life it should have had.”
The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Rufus Black said the university is “proud” to restore an important piece of Hobart’s architecture while making a significant investment in education facilities for staff and future students.
Works on the Forestry building are expected to take two years to complete, with staff and students forecast to use the building in 2025.
