Hansen Yuncken successfully delivered The Forest, a landmark adaptive-reuse education precinct for the University of Tasmania, transforming the former Forestry Building on Melville Street into a contemporary, future-focused city campus in the heart of Hobart’s CBD. The project revitalised a heritage-listed complex that had remained largely underutilised for decades, re-establishing it as a vibrant centre for learning, collaboration, and community engagement as part of the University’s broader southern campus strategy.

The redevelopment brought together teaching, learning, student support, and collaboration spaces within a highly distinctive built environment that celebrates Tasmania’s natural and cultural identity. Central to the project was the careful restoration of the building’s iconic glass-domed atrium – originally conceived as a symbolic forest, which was reimagined as a living internal landscape featuring native vegetation. This space became the heart of the campus, providing a light-filled communal hub that supports social interaction, wellbeing, and interdisciplinary engagement while reinforcing the project’s strong connection to place.

Delivered through a highly complex adaptive-reuse process, the project required meticulous planning to retain and enhance the building’s heritage fabric while integrating contemporary building services, seismic upgrades, accessibility improvements, and modern educational infrastructure. Significant portions of the existing structure were preserved and repurposed, including heritage façades, timber elements, and structural components, ensuring the original character of the building was maintained while extending its functional life for generations to come.

Sustainability was embedded at every stage of delivery, with a strong focus on circular economy principles, embodied carbon reduction, and long-term operational performance. By prioritising reuse over demolition, the project significantly reduced material consumption and waste, while innovative design and construction methodologies supported improved environmental outcomes. The Forest stands as a leading example of how heritage buildings can be transformed into high-performing, contemporary education facilities without compromising their historical significance.

A landmark adaptive reuse project transforming heritage into a sustainable, future-focused urban learning environment.

Hansen Yuncken worked closely with the University, consultants, heritage specialists, and stakeholders to deliver a campus that seamlessly integrates with Hobart’s urban fabric. The completed facility strengthened the University’s presence in the CBD, improved accessibility for students and staff, and contributed to the activation of the surrounding city precinct, reinforcing the role of education as a catalyst for urban renewal.

The Forest is now recognised as a benchmark project for adaptive reuse in the tertiary education sector – demonstrating how thoughtful design, sustainable construction, and collaborative delivery can transform a historic asset into a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment that benefits both the University community and the wider Tasmanian public.