Paddington campus courtyard upgrade

Transforming the heart of Paddington campus

UNSW has transformed the central courtyard at its Paddington campus into a cooler, more welcoming and functional outdoor space that supports student life, learning and connection.

Delivered by UNSW Estate Management, the upgrade combines sustainable landscape design, improved shading and new gathering spaces with research and student contributions that helped shape the final outcomes.

The project builds on previous investment in the Paddington campus, strengthening the courtyard’s role at the heart of its creative community and improving connections to key facilities including the Library and Nucleus Student Hub.

Creating a cooler, more resilient courtyard

Sustainability and environmental performance helped shape the courtyard design.

Research and thermal imaging analysis by Dr Riccardo Paolini, Manager of the UNSW High Performance Lab, provided insights into the courtyard's existing climatic conditions, including heat, shade and thermal comfort. This research helped identify opportunities to increase shading and improve thermal comfort through the design.

The landscape response removed artificial turf and introduced new garden beds and carefully selected planting, increasing vegetation and creating a greener and more resilient outdoor environment.

The project also followed the UNSW Capital Projects Sustainability Framework, including its Nature Value net gain goal, supporting the University's commitment to becoming a Nature Positive University.

Connecting learning with campus development

The courtyard also provided an opportunity for UNSW students to apply their learning to a live campus project.

As part of coursework led by Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard from the School of Built Environment, students developed concepts for the courtyard and explored responses to a real-world design challenge.

Concepts, developed by students Imran Moon and Lionel Pek were presented to the project team, with elements influencing the final design. Students also received direct feedback from the project architects, providing practical insight into how design ideas are assessed, refined and translated into built outcomes.

The collaboration connected teaching with student development and gave students an opportunity to contribute ideas to the environment in which they study.

Embedding student creativity into the campus

Students’ creativity has also become a permanent part of the completed courtyard.

A student artwork competition coordinated by Stephen Goddard invited students to develop artwork for integration into the project.

The winning work, Figs of Paddington by second-year design student Jonty Davies-Conyngham, was translated into perforated decorative shrouds within the courtyard.

The installation creates a lasting student contribution to the Paddington campus and reflects the creative identity of the Art & Design community.