The First Building at Bradfield City Centre has been awarded the prestigious 2025 David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture, recognizing its groundbreaking approach to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with modern architectural practices. Designed by Hassell in collaboration with First Nations cultural design and research practice Djinjama, the project represents a significant paradigm shift in contemporary civic architecture that centers environmental responsibility and cultural grounding.
Located on Wianamatta, meaning "Mother Place" in the language of the Dharug people, the building sits on land of profound cultural significance. The collaboration with Djinjama shaped the project's spatial language, which is rooted in principles of care, water stewardship, and ecological regeneration. These concepts are expressed through a permeable site strategy, ephemeral hydrological features, and extensive use of native plantings that honor the land's original character.
The jury citation praised Hassell's architectural response for materializing these cultural insights into what they described as "a pavilion of civic generosity and ecological sensitivity." The building demonstrates how modern architecture can serve as an agent of transformation while respecting Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental stewardship principles.
Environmental performance has been embedded at every scale of the project, showcasing innovative sustainable technologies and materials. The building incorporates comprehensive rainwater harvesting systems, natural ventilation throughout, solar energy generation, low-carbon concrete, and rammed-earth walls. A biodiverse green roof further enhances the building's ecological performance and connection to the natural environment.
The project's sustainability credentials are particularly impressive, achieving a 50 percent reduction in embodied carbon compared to conventional construction methods. The building is targeting both 6-Star Green Star certification and Living Building Challenge certification, two of the most rigorous sustainability standards in the industry. These achievements demonstrate the project's commitment to setting new benchmarks for environmentally responsible construction.
A key innovation in the project is its deployment of modern methods of construction that align with circular economy principles. The building features a prefabricated timber kit-of-parts system that enables complete disassembly, relocation, and reconfiguration. This approach ensures long-term adaptability and reduces waste, representing a forward-thinking approach to building lifecycle management.
As the inaugural structure within Australia's newest city, the First Building articulates what the jury called "a regenerative model of development." This model centers First Nations knowledge, embraces sustainable innovation, and positions architecture as a catalyst for positive environmental and social transformation. The project sets a precedent for future development in Bradfield City Centre and beyond.
The project team included key figures from Hassell such as Liz Westgarth, Jeff Morgan, Yann Frampton, Federico Riches, Jon Hazelwood, and Michael G. White. Taylor served as the builder, while Public Works NSW managed the project. Additional consultants included Enstruct (now WSP) and Northrop Consulting Engineers for structural engineering, Surface Design for facade engineering, and Flux Consultants alongside Northrop Consulting Engineers for environmental sustainable design consulting. Djinjama provided crucial Indigenous cultural advisory services throughout the project.
