Australia-Chinese businessman funds innovative new Sydney university building

Sydney's newest architectural landmark, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), was officially opened on Monday thanks to the donations from the Australian-Chinese businessman and philanthropist.

Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove officially opened the new 20 million Australian dollars (15.5 million U.S. dollars) building, which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, and will be the home to the UTS Business School.

UTS Vice Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the new building is a physical manifestation of the innovative thinking that underpins the teaching, learning and research undertaken by the Business School and UTS as a whole.

"Frank Gehry has created unique spaces to inspire a life-long love of learning, enable completely new educational experiences and enrich UTS's approach to research," Brungs said.

"It is a building designed to encourage the sharing of ideas among students and staff alongside our industry and community partners."

UTS Chancellor Professor Vicki Sara said the new building was a masterpiece of design and engineering and was a symbol of everything UTS stands for.

"It epitomises our vision to be a world-leading university of technology where creativity and innovation intersect," Sara said.

Inspired by the idea of a tree house, Gehry describes his building design as "a growing learning organism with many branches of thought, some robust and some ephemeral and delicate".

The new complex is designed from the inside out, starting with the collaborative learning and work spaces. It features a unique east-facing sandstone coloured, undulating brick facade that responds to Sydney's sandstone heritage, while the large glass panels which comprise the west facing facade reference the building's city surrounds.

Wing donated 20 million Australian dollars (15.5 million U.S. dollars) toward completion of the building and has also donated 5 million Australian dollars (3.8 million U.S. dollars) for scholarships making it possible for Australian and Chinese students to study in Australia and in China.

Wing said he was delighted Frank Gehry had accepted the UTS commission.

"His design is distinctive, full of passion," he said. "There is nothing like it in Australia. He is an unparalleled architect."