JAAA Sydney University

The Camperdown Public Domain designed by Jeppe Aagaard Andersen together with Tinka Sack and Turf Design creates a unified plan bringing clarity to an eclectic and complex University setting. The design has a definite classical component to it and is cognizant of the palimpsest of the University. The University buildings reflect the history of the University and this is respected. A distinctive yet functional structure that marries the diverse spatial mix of the campus grounds is principal in bringing together the mixing of student and teacher life in a central public domain, eliminating the previous mentality of a vehicular-based campus.
The design, inspired by the Rambles of Barcelona and Havana, creates a major pedestrian route linking the northern and southern campuses through a continuous processional of banded granite paving under a bold alley of native trees. This simple strong axis provides a central corridor for the energetic rhythm of the University while emphasizing the distinctive cadence of form found in newly planted endemic trees. The design entails robust details from quality materials with the ability to develop a rich patina becoming more beautiful over time. Views towards the city are amplified and maintained. Accessibility for all students is integral to the design.