COMMENDATION FOR HERITAGE

COMMENDATION FOR HERITAGE

NIHON UNIVERSITY NEWCASTLE CAMPUS

DESIGN WORLDWIDE PARTNERSHIP WITH AZUSA SEKKEI CO.

Designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet and completed by his successor Walter Vernon (Government Architect), the restoration of the former Newcastle Courthouse (c1890) is a fine example of late Victorian classical architecture. It is a timeless, unpretentious, yet expressive project with a hint of Japanese influence that will no doubt be the silent support for the students and staff who will pass through the halls.

The building had been allowed to fall into disrepair, and has been carefully restored with respect, rectifying water ingress and termite. Deftly striking the balance between respecting the heritage building and embodying a fresh unobtrusive design that looks toward the future, the campus has been meticulously reinstated to avoid the ecological footprint of removal and reconstruction. The result is a complex that will become a cultural centre to promote international exchange at various levels and bring together people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to nurture conversations and relationships that transcend global frontiers.