Local and state politicians, as well as dignitaries from the University and past and present staff of the School, were amongst those who were part of the celebration.
Head of the School of Architecture and Design, Professor Kirsten Orr, former Head of School, Emeritus Professor Roger Fay, and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen spoke at the event, with the night providing a great opportunity to celebrate the School’s many achievements and vision for the future.
Professor Orr praised the school’s achievements including its live projects developed for community clients, strong focus on research, links with architecture and design professionals and its involvement in the $300 Million Northern Transformation Project.
“As a school we are engaged in one of the most exciting architectural and urban design projects happening anywhere in Australia right now,” she said.
“Our students are generating innovative design ideas for the development of the new Inveresk Precinct – to enhance the urban environment of Launceston more broadly, and to strengthen the state-wide economic benefits of this architectural and urban development.”
Professor Orr also reflected on the school’s relocation from Newnham to Inveresk.
“In 2007 the School of Architecture & Design moved into this converted 1951 diesel locomotive workshop,” she said.
“This award-winning conversion provides an extraordinary backdrop to the school’s activities.
“It is this building, its location in Launceston – the ultimate university city – and the staff, students and activities it contains, that drew me to the University of Tasmania in March last year as the new Head of School.”
