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.
“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
