Boola Katitjin, Murdoch University – Award-Winning Educational Architecture
Location: Murdoch University (Perth, Western Australia)
Project: Boola Katitjin Academic Building
Photography by: Pixel Collective
At Pixel Collective, we’re passionate about documenting architectural achievements that shape communities and redefine spaces. Our recent photography project at Boola Katitjin—Murdoch University’s landmark academic building in Western Australia—celebrates one of the most significant educational architecture projects in the region. This iconic structure embodies innovation, sustainability, and cultural connection, making it a standout subject for architectural photography.
A Modern Hub for Learning & Collaboration
Boola Katitjin serves as a vibrant learning, teaching, and community hub at the centre of Murdoch University’s Perth campus. Named in the Noongar language to mean “lots of learning,” the building is designed around the university’s commitment to inclusive and experiential education. It features 21 large teaching and learning spaces, technology-rich labs, collaborative and informal study areas, and student services, all laid out to support a rich mix of academic and social interaction.
Architectural Vision & Design Collaboration
The architectural design of Boola Katitjin was led by Lyons Architects, working in collaboration with Silver Thomas Hanley, The Fulcrum Agency, Officer Woods Architects (WA), and Aspect Studios. This interdisciplinary design team responded to the university’s brief with a bold vision that balances flexibility, sustainability, and connection to Country. The result is a structure that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in context, with spaces that encourage connections across disciplines and communities.
Boola Katitjin is also recognised as a major achievement in sustainable architecture, achieving a 6 Star Green Star rating and widely praised for its innovative use of mass engineered timber (MET)—making it the largest building of its kind in Western Australia.
Celebrated & Award-Winning Design
Boola Katitjin’s design excellence has been widely recognised, earning prestigious awards including the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture and the National Award for Sustainable Architecture at the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards. It was also honoured at the World Architecture Festival and across multiple state and national architecture award programs.
Architectural Photography that Tells a Story
For this project, Pixel Collective was commissioned to photograph Boola Katitjin in a way that highlights its architectural form, intricate detailing, and spatial experience. Our photography emphasizes the relationship between structure, light, and materiality, capturing how the building’s mass timber frame, expansive glass facades, and connected learning environments work together to create an inviting and future-focused space. Every shot reveals how the design facilitates movement, interaction, and engagement throughout the building.
From sweeping exterior perspectives that illustrate the building’s form and scale to interior compositions that deepen appreciation for texture, daylight, and human scale, our images bring to life the nuanced approach taken by the architects and design team.
A Landmark in Educational Architecture
Boola Katitjin is more than a campus building—it’s an embodiment of Murdoch University’s values of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. It sets a new benchmark for academic environments that foster collaboration, well-being, and belonging.
We’re proud to have worked with the project team to produce photographic documentation that reflects the architectural ambition and design quality of this remarkable building.
Explore our portfolio of architectural and commercial interiors photography to see how we capture exceptional design stories from Australia and beyond.
Pixel Collective | Capturing the Art of Architecture & Interiors
