Forrest Hall is an exciting accommodation development on campus that has been designed to attract post-doctoral students and academics to Western Australia.

The new development is a stunning addition to the UWA campus and has been designed to promote a stimulating and creative living environment for scholars and rising research stars.

Forrest Hall is enhancing the collegiate environment through an appealing, tranquil and stimulating design of architectural significance, whilst enhancing and respecting the quality of the campus and the natural beauty of the adjacent Swan River.

The construction of the student accommodation close to campus supports the needs of students and the University's long-term goal to be amongst the top 50 universities in the world by 2050. It also accommodates Forrest scholars studying at the other Western Australian Universities: Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University and The University of Notre Dame.

Funding

Forrest Hall has been made possible by the philanthropic donation of Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who in 2013, made the largest single donation in Australian history of $65 million to attract the best minds to Western Australia.

The majority of this donation was used to establish the Forrest Research Foundation, to fund scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships across all five WA universities. In May 2017, Andrew and Nicola Forrest announced they would donate a further $65 million to the University which would be used to expand the Forrest Research Foundation.

Of the $130 million donated by the Forrests in 2013 and 2017, $27.5 million contributed towards Forrest Hall. This funding was topped up with $2.9 million from The University of Western Australia.

Forrest Hall will feature:

  • A five-storey development with around 45 high-quality, modern self-catering one and two bed apartments
  • Ground floor common areas including an outdoor terrace with river views
  • Beautifully landscaped grounds with pedestrian access through to the river, for both residents and the local community to enjoy
  • Undercroft car parking facilities
Location

Forrest Hall is proposed for the corner of Mounts Bay Road and Hackett Drive. The location is aligned with the University's vision for the development of its Crawley campus, outlined in the Crawley Campus Plan 2010.

Design
Landscape design

The landscape design takes a minimal and contemporary approach to spaces and materials selection, utilising a clean and simple palette to create an appropriate modern and minimalist style which complements the architecture of Forrest Hall. A combination of exposed aggregate paving, granite benches, decorative gravels and native ornamental trees, creates a sophisticated and elegant setting for visiting and resident scholars.

Accessibility

Three accessible apartment units have been provided as part of this development. An elevator connects the lower ground parking with all levels and is in close proximity to the main stairs to access all apartment floors.

Community access - Swan River

The University appreciates that the community enjoys accessing the Swan River and the design respects the need to maintain access for everyone. Members and visitors of the dinghy and rowing clubs will continue to have access to their sites under existing arrangements.

Timeline

The University submitted a development application to the City of Perth in September 2015. Following approvals, it is anticipated construction will start mid-2016, and Forrest Hall will be ready for semester one, 2018.

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Forrest Hall