Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
The only building in Australia designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry
10am–4pm
About the building
Fondly known as ‘the crumpled paper bag building’, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building’s nickname belies the innovative technical construction of the 12-storey curved brick facade and the state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research spaces for UTS Business School.
Pritzker Prize–winning architect Frank Gehry conceptualised the building as a treehouse rising high above the adjoining tree canopy and designed it from the inside out to foster innovation, collaboration and different ways of thinking among students, scholars, academics and emerging business and community leaders.
From its undulating exterior made with 320,000 custom-designed bricks to its crumpled silver staircase and oval-shaped classrooms reminiscent of a giant Jenga game, every element of this stunning landmark is a fusion of architectural and engineering vision. Sustainability is also at the forefront of its design: it received a 5 Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, and numerous other accolades for its green design and innovation in building materials.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its opening, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building is recognised as one of the world’s most iconic and inspiring educational buildings and a physical manifestation of the bold thinking that underpins the innovative learning, research and public programs at UTS Business School.
Built
2014
Architect
Frank Gehry, Gehry Partners, LLP
DJRD Architects (executive architect)
Arup (structural and facade engineers), 2014
Awards
Engineers Australia Excellence Awards – Bradfield Award; Buildings and Structures Award, 2016
Property Council of Australia Innovation & Excellence Awards – Woods Bagot Award for Best Public Building, 2016
Master Builders Association National Excellence in Construction Awards – National Public Buildings Over $50 million, 2015
Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Construction Awards – Tertiary Buildings Over $100 million; Best Use of Bricks; Best Use of Architectural Steel, 2015
Think Brick Awards – Horbury Hunt Commercial Award (joint winner), 2015
Australian Timber Design Awards – People’s Choice Award, 2015
AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) Infinite Value Awards – Innovation Project Award, 2015
Find out more about this building here
Dr Chau Chak Wing Building
14-28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo. Entry from The Goods Line
Entry details
Level 2 and 3: oval classrooms, lecture theatres, student spaces, silver staircase, building maquette and rotating exhibition, currently featuring Tracey Moffatt’s Up in the Sky series. Level 8: external balconies. Level 12: boardroom featuring a timber desk gifted by Frank Gehry, design artefacts and cloud-shaped lighting
10am–4pm
3.30pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresThere is lift access to all parts of the building, with accessible ramps at street-level entry points from the Goods Line, Ultimo and Mary Ann Street entrances. Accessible toilets are available
Toilets availablePhotography allowed
