Frank Gehry to build giant tree house in Australia

In a statement, Gehry said that his new building for Sydney’s University of Technology will have “a trunk and core of activity and… branches for people to connect and do their private work.” The design is also characterized by two distinct façades, with the east side consisting of undulating sandstone-colored brick while the west side […]

In a statement, Gehry said that his new building for Sydney’s University of Technology will have “a trunk and core of activity and… branches for people to connect and do their private work.” The design is also characterized by two distinct façades, with the east side consisting of undulating sandstone-colored brick while the west side will feature large, angled sheets of glass that will reflect and fracture images of surrounding buildings.

With a total expected cost of $150 million — $20 million of which has been provided by Australian-Chinese businessman Chau Chak Wang — the building will house the university’s business school.

Wang also gave an additional $5 million for an endowment fund for Australia-China student scholarships, making his the largest-ever gift by an individual to an Australian university.

Part of the urban campus’s expansion, the 11-story structure will feature a café, a student center, and event and exhibition spaces, as well as offices, classrooms, and work spaces. The basement will include bicycle parking and showers for students who bicycle to class.

University of Technology vice-chancellor Ross Milbourne said that some elements of the design were still fluid and would be discussed in community consultation sessions from December 17 through January 14. Construction is planned for early 2012 with the building expected to welcome students and faculty in the 2014 academic year.

Reuters