Facilities & services
We innovate, rethink and upgrade our teaching spaces, facilities and equipment so that we continue to produce the best graduates in Australia.
The Anita B. Lawrence Centre
The Anita B. Lawrence Centre (formerly the Red Centre) has been home to UNSW Built Environment since 1997. Today, the building accommodates over 100 staff and almost 3,000 students across our Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City Planning, Computational Design, Industrial Design and Construction Management and Property Programs.
In April 2023 UNSW renamed the building the Anita B. Lawrence Centre, in recognition of the University’s first woman architecture graduate and the first woman to ever receive a University Medal. To celebrate this change, UNSW Built Environment and FJC Studio (the original architects of the building) held an event to reflect on the past 25 years of the building, Anita’s pioneering work in architecture and acoustics, and the role that sustainable architecture can play in our urban future.
Design Futures Lab
The Design Futures Lab is a workshop and community space for students and researchers to be creative individually and collaboratively, learning through making.
During the week, our labs are open to help with course work requirements and facilitate research. Trained technical staff are on hand to teach and support students and researchers to safely use the technology and equipment available. We encourage experimentation and learning through hands-on interactions.
‘In the evenings and on weekends, the studio areas and research spaces are open to provide a culture of collaboration.
City Analytics Lab
The City Analytics Lab (CAL) is a dedicated space designed to support collaborative city planning and user-centred design. CAL comprises of a large decision support theatre and three dedicated virtual reality/augmented reality rooms, along with a Tangible Table sandbox and observation rooms for undertaking experiments.
The Livability Lab
The Livability Lab, part of the Enabling Built Environments Program, investigates the design of the built environment for those who are often excluded from design decisions. The lab boasts an 18 camera 3D motion capture system, handheld 3D scanner, pressure mats and an array of anthropometric measurement equipment to assess ergonomics, biomechanics and useability.
The Livability Lab hosts the Home Modification Information Clearinghouse (HMInfo) project.
The Gallery
The ground and mezzanine levels of the Red Centre form an exhibition and gallery space for the school. The gallery exhibition space also features a state-of-the-art sound system and digital screen display.
Studio space
The school has purpose-built, natural light-filled studio spaces located in the Red Centre and Squarehouse. These studios act as core spaces for the design courses where students can explore their creativity. The Red Centre is accessible 6am to midnight, 7 days a week.
General photocopying, printing, plotting & scanning
The main print/copy facility in the school (Red Centre Mezzanine Level) has a range of devices, including access to multiple A4/A3 colour printers and copiers, A0 black and white plotters and scanners, and a colour A0 laser plotter. Outside the main print/copy room, there are black and white A4 printers in the computer labs. Research students have dedicated devices in their areas.
The university’s wireless internet service is available in all the student areas for laptops and other mobile devices.
Lockers
The School of Built Environment has bookable student lockers available for use by undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Red Centre.