Incorporating nature into interior design and architecture has proven benefits for the health and wellbeing of the occupants.

Macquarie University engaged Architectus to incorporate these benefits into the design of their new Ainsworth Building. The brief presented to Architectus by Macquarie University was to design a new teaching and learning building for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences that created a strong sense of wellbeing through a connection with nature.

The result is a multi-award-winning engineered timber structure that showcases 500sqm of Havwoods timber flooring throughout and an eye-catching glass facade that beautifully reflects the nature-filled surrounds.

Positioned in a beautiful landscape of Australian native bushland, the completed building brings the outdoor scenery indoors with a stunning glass facade that allows for maximum natural light to enter the building’s interiors. This glass facade also serves to provide an eye-catching reflection of the Australian bushland on the exterior of the building.

Havwoods Villa Midi from the Urban Living collection was selected for the flooring throughout the building.

Havwoods timber flooring - Ainsworth Building

“The function performance, visual appearance and cost were all important considerations that were met by Havwoods Villa Midi. The flooring had to meet acceptable slip resistance requirements and be robust to student use and impact,” Architectus principal Luke Johnson said.

The beautiful honey tones of the Havwoods Villa Midi timber flooring complement the engineered timber structure of the building perfectly and meet the requirements for delivering a connection to nature and a feeling of wellbeing.

The Ainsworth Building has since won a multitude of awards:

Architecture & Design Sustainability Awards
Education and Research Award, 2021
Australian Institute of Architects (NSW) Awards
Educational Architecture Award, 2021
Australian Timber Design Awards
People’s Choice Award, 2020

Project details

Project: Ainsworth Building, Macquarie University

Location: NSW

Architect: Architectus & Arup

Builder: Buildcorp

Product: HW7207 Villa Midi timber flooring

Photographer: Brett Boardman

Architecture & Design Team

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Havwoods

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