When the University of Tasmania envisioned a new architectural landmark for its Launceston campus, the concept was to meld cutting-edge design with practical functionality. The result is the River’s Edge building – a project that not only serves the academic community but also elevates the profile of sustainable, innovative construction.
UTAS River's Edge: A Benchmark in Architectural Foresight
River’s Edge stands as a contemporary educational facility, reflecting the university's forward-looking ethos. Its inception by Wardle Architects sought to challenge conventional designs, prioritising spaces that encourage interaction and learning against the backdrop of the Inveresk precinct.
The project's cladding system, Fielders ARAMAX®, played a pivotal role in bringing this architectural vision to life. Known for its robustness and larger-than-life profile, ARAMAX® offered a design solution that went beyond aesthetics, providing an innovative answer to structural challenges.
ARAMAX®: More Than Meets the Eye
ARAMAX® distinguishes itself through its capacity to support wide roofing spans – a feature that architects leveraged to craft the building’s signature look. This ability to extend up to 20 metres without intermediate supports meant that interior spaces could be open and uninterrupted, creating a sense of expansiveness and fluidity within educational environments.
One of the less visible yet equally impressive attributes of ARAMAX® is its structural integrity. The material’s innate strength allowed for a simplification of underlying frameworks, translating to not just cost efficiency but also a streamlined construction process. For River’s Edge, this meant a more sustainable build, with less material waste and a shorter timeframe from groundbreaking to completion.
Engineering Meets Aesthetics
ARAMAX®’s utilitarian prowess did not compromise its aesthetic flexibility. The cladding system’s ability to be rollformed to exact lengths on-site presented a significant logistical advantage. For architects and builders, this adaptability ensured that the cladding not only fit the structural narrative of River’s Edge but also its environmental one, mirroring the ebb and flow of the nearby Tamar River.
Fielders didn’t just supply a product; they provided a partnership. Their design team worked closely with Fairbrother, the builders, to tailor the ARAMAX® cladding system to River’s Edge's specific requirements. This collaboration was key in achieving a final build that stood true to the architect’s initial concept.
The End Result: A Study in Symbiosis
Today, River’s Edge isn’t just a building; it's a study in how innovation in material technology like ARAMAX® can serve grand architectural ideas. It’s a celebration of how such projects can be both a centerpiece for the university and a practical, everyday place for learning and growth.
As River’s Edge takes its place in Launceston's skyline, it remains a testament to the power of thoughtful engineering and architectural ambition – a space designed not just for the here and now but as a beacon for future academic endeavours.
ARAMAX® cladding systems were supplied by Lysaght TAS, acting as an agent for Fielders, contributing to the creation of a functional architectural statement at the University of Tasmania.
