Back to Briefs

1:100 Model

1:100 Model

Exterior Render

Exterior Render

1:150 Ground Floor Plan

1:150 Ground Floor Plan

1:150 Sectional Perspective

1:150 Sectional Perspective

1:25 Detail

1:25 Detail

Fractured Grounds

Fractured Grounds is conceived as a meeting place carved into the topography, articulated through locally sourced stone and timber. As the Gadigal Centre of Excellence, it forms a campus landmark, its mass broken into two towers and a courtyard. Embedded in the site’s contours, the building responds to its surroundings with warm, gridded timber interiors that support learning and collaboration. Organised by a disciplined structural rhythm, the scheme strategically fractures to create voids that enhance vertical connectivity. A sunken auditorium anchors the project, while the rooftop terrace framed by skillion roofs and native plantings offers a reflective, elevated gathering place.

Frances Monaghan

Instagram LinkedIn

Fractured Grounds

Fractured Grounds is conceived as a meeting place carved into the topography, articulated through locally sourced stone and timber. As the Gadigal Centre of Excellence, it forms a campus landmark, its mass broken into two towers and a courtyard. Embedded in the site’s contours, the building responds to its surroundings with warm, gridded timber interiors that support learning and collaboration. Organised by a disciplined structural rhythm, the scheme strategically fractures to create voids that enhance vertical connectivity. A sunken auditorium anchors the project, while the rooftop terrace framed by skillion roofs and native plantings offers a reflective, elevated gathering place.

Frances Monaghan

Instagram LinkedIn

We recognise and pay respect to the Elders and communities - past, present, and emerging - of the lands that the University of Sydney's campuses stand on. For thousands of years they have shared and exchanged knowledges across innumerable generations for the benefit of all.

Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning © 2025 The University of Sydney