Charles Wright Architects delivers award-winning educational architecture across Australia, led by Director Charles Wright, who has been involved in the design and delivery of some of the nation’s most advanced and industry-leading education and research facilities for more than 25 years. This depth of experience brings proven leadership, sector intelligence and delivery rigour to every education project undertaken by the practice.

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Prior to founding Charles Wright Architects in 2004, Charles worked with Lyons Architects on a number of complex tertiary education projects. Notable examples include the School of Botany at the University of Melbourne, where he contributed to the design of an innovative laboratory building integrating natural ventilation within a contemporary research environment, and the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University in Canberra, where he played a key role from competition stage through to delivery of a consolidated, state-of-the-art research facility for five previously dispersed medical science departments. These projects received major recognition from the Australian Institute of Architects, including the Institutional Architecture Award and a National Award for Public Architecture.

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Through Charles Wright Architects, this legacy of educational design excellence has continued with multiple award-winning projects across primary, secondary and tertiary education. The practice has twice received the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland State Jennifer Taylor Award for Education, including the inaugural award for the Trinity Anglican School STEM Building and, most recently, for the James Cook University Engineering and Innovation Place, delivered in collaboration with Kirk and i4 Architects. The Engineering and Innovation Place has also received international recognition through the Prix Versailles – UNESCO World Architecture and Design Awards and the Australian Institute of Architects Darryl Jackson National Award for Education Architecture (2025).

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CWA has also delivered the James Cook University Cairns Campus Masterplan in collaboration with Kirk and Sasaki, with Sasaki recognised globally as leaders in education campus master planning. This work reflects the practice’s capability in delivering integrated learning environments that respond to campus context, pedagogy, future growth and long-term operational needs.

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Our education sector team brings specialist expertise in the delivery of contemporary learning environments, research facilities and campus masterplans. We work collaboratively with clients, educators, stakeholders and consultants to develop future-focused educational architecture that supports evolving pedagogies, research excellence, student wellbeing and institutional identity.