Designing for Resilience and Regeneration at UNSW’s G25 Education Building

Atelier Ten helps shape a high-performing, low-impact campus landmark within the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct

UNSW Sydney has submitted a $171 million proposal for the G25 Education Building — a new eleven-storey facility that will strengthen the University’s position as a global leader in education and innovation. Located on the Kensington campus within the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct, the proposed development was recently unveiled with a public exhibition set to conclude on 20 May 2025.

Designed by Architectus, the G25 Education Building will provide collaborative learning spaces, specialist research labs, and flexible teaching areas while advancing UNSW’s broader decarbonisation goals and commitment to nature-positive outcomes. Atelier Ten has worked closely with the project team to develop a comprehensive sustainability framework and performance strategy that meets both institutional ambitions and planning expectations.

Atelier Ten’s work included early-stage sustainability visioning, supported by rigorous environmental design analysis and advisory across key performance indicators. In collaboration with project partners, we helped establish a pathway to reduce upfront embodied carbon by 20% and operational energy use by 30%. Façade optimisation modelling was used to maximise daylighting and thermal comfort, while water demand was significantly reduced through an integrated reuse system that draws on campus-wide stormwater and borehole resources.

Atelier Ten also provided climate adaptation planning and urban heat island analysis to support resilience, human comfort and long-term operational efficiency — reflecting UNSW’s intent to lead on climate-smart, regenerative development.

The G25 Education Building forms part of the University’s ongoing transformation of its Kensington campus and represents a strategic investment in the built environment’s role in health, innovation and community wellbeing.