It's official – Trinity's new residential building is open!

Minister for Education, the Honourable Dan Tehan, and Trinity College Warden and CEO, Professor Ken Hinchcliff (both centre), with a group of Trinity students outside the new building.

Last week marked a new era for Trinity College with the opening of our new residential building by the Minister for Education, the Honourable Dan Tehan. More than 150 people joined us for this momentous occasion ahead of Trinity's annual Drinks Under the Oak gathering. 

Given we live in a time when taking responsibility for the future of the planet – and naturally, our students – needs to be at the forefront of our minds, this building has been designed to not just make a modern statement, but to also minimise our impact on the environment. 

It has solar panels on the roof, geothermally powered heating and cooling, double-glazed windows, and a mechanism for harvesting rainwater. Inside, furniture has been procured from local manufacturers with sustainability credentials wherever possible, and we’ve also used recycled materials throughout the project wherever we could. This includes recycled sandstone from the building we knew as Vatican, which once stood on the site. These features will help us reach an ambitious milestone we’ve set ourselves – one of many as we roll out our strategic plan – and that is to become carbon neutral as a college by 2023. 

The building also includes 100 student rooms, a gym, many common spaces for study and leisure, an arts room, a music room and a two-storey Junior Common Room. 

In a couple of weeks, this building will transition from bricks and mortar into a home – the home of 100 young adults who have their lives ahead of them. We're excited to think about the dreams, innovations, business ideas, love stories and lifelong friendships that will take place in this new space. 

An Indigenous smoking ceremony was held as part of the official opening.

The Honourable Dan Tehan and Professor Ken Hinchcliff opening the new building.

The incredible project team that made everything happen.

Smoking ceremony leader Kellie Hunter with Trinity students, staff and supporters.