University of Tasmania Forestry Building

To bridge the gap between the heritage red-brick facades and the new internal forest landscape, the design team turned to the raw, earthy textures of Daniel Robertson.

In the heart of Hobart, the adaptive reuse of the historic Forestry Building serves as a masterclass in carbon-conscious design. Through a bespoke collaboration between Woods Bagot, Realm Studios, and Daniel Robertson, the project breathes new life into a century-old site while setting a new benchmark for sustainable material procurement.

The transformation of the University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) Forestry Building is more than a refurbishment; it is a "circular" revival. Originally a 1920s timber warehouse and later the iconic domed headquarters of Forestry Tasmania, the site has been reimagined by Woods Bagot as a porous, verdant campus. Central to this vision was a commitment to "dematerialisation", a philosophy of using only what is necessary and ensuring every new intervention carries a story of provenance.

Nowhere is this story more tactile than in the building’s extensive brickwork and paving. To bridge the gap between the heritage red-brick facades and the new internal "forest" landscape, the design team turned to the raw, earthy textures of Daniel Robertson.

Targeting a 40 percent reduction in embodied carbon, the project team, prioritised local manufacturing and waste reduction.

The scale of the masonry package was significant: over 200,000 brick facings and 35,000 custom Daniel Robertson pavers. However, the true innovation lay in the logistics. To manage the complexity of the cutting package and minimise the carbon footprint of transport, Brickworks temporarily relocated its Victorian-based brick cutting team to Longford, Tasmania.

By establishing a local hub, the project achieved higher sustainability credentials and ensured a superior finish. As the cut faces of the bricks and pavers are exposed throughout the site, the precision of this on-site craft was paramount, resulting in a seamless integration of old and new.

The spaces were conceived as personal sanctuaries that evolve alongside their owners. Each is shaped by the idea that your personal environment should be able to grow with you. Surrounded by bike paths, rooftop gardens and the picturesque view of Molonglo Valley at your disposal, the building places everyday convenience and wellbeing at the centre of living. These carefully considered amenities encourage a seamless connection between indoors and out, allowing residents to move effortlessly between work, leisure, and rest. Thoughtfully integrated amenities come to life in the form of Flexi-Spaces, an optional add-on space that is tailored to the owner.  Each option serves a certain need, whether it be a study space, a Pilates haven or a refuge in the form of a cinema room. Functional and deeply personal, these spaces support routine and retreat in equal measure.

The palette features a custom blend of Daniel Robertson Hawthorn and Traditional bricks. These ranges are celebrated for their highly textured faces and multi-layered colouring, qualities that mirror the "found conditions" of the original 1930s warehouses.

“We wanted to think about the quality of the spaces you move through,” says Bruno Mendes, Design Director at Woods Bagot. The bricks are used in their most honest form, with minimal finishes to allow the natural grain and clay textures to remain the protagonist.

Beneath the 22-metre-wide glass dome, Realm Studios has reinstated a temperate rainforest. Here, the custom Daniel Robertson pavers (meticulously cut in half to meet the design’s slimline aesthetic) create a rhythmic, durable floor that weaves through the indoor forest and out into the Hobart CBD.

By retaining 60 percent of the existing structure and honouring the site’s historical urban fabric, the UTAS Forestry Building has already garnered international acclaim, winning the Building Technology and Future Project: Education awards at the World Architecture Festival.

For Brickworks, the project represents a pinnacle of bespoke manufacturing. From the carbon-neutral kilns of the Longford plant to the hand-finished details on Melville Street, the Forestry Building stands as a testament to the power of masonry to connect a site’s industrial past with its sustainable future.