In recognition of the ANU's large concentration of expertise on international relations and diplomacy, strategic studies, and comparative politics, the University, supported by the Federal Government's Department of Education, Science, and Training, constructed a major new facility to house the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, the Department of International Relations, the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, and the Department of Political and Social Change.

The building is named the Hedley Bull Centre, in honour of Australia's most celebrated international relations scholar. Professor Hedley Bull was joint Head of the ANU's Department of International Relations from 1966 to 1976, and it was during this period that he wrote his most famous work, The Anarchical Society.

Designed by the award winning Melbourne firm Lyons Architects, the Hedley Bull Centre brings together over forty academic staff, sixty PhD students, 300 masters and graduate diploma students, and numerous visitors. It was designed as a dynamic social space, intended to encourage through the architecture interaction and dialogue between individuals, across academic units. It is designed to have a mixed population, with professors, PhD students, and visitors intermixed throughout the building, and with academic units interleaved across floors. Each academic unit has its own large library/reading room, accessible to academic staff, visitors and graduate students alike. Finally, significant attention was given to the 'green' qualities of the building, and the design includes large water retention tanks, a grey water system, double-glazing, high mass construction, and a highly efficient 'mixed mode' climate control system.

The Centre provides a dynamic, high amenity home for the School, and while we had a strong sentimental attachment to our previous corridors in the Coombs Building, we are enjoying being in our new home. To see architect's images of the Hedley Bull Centre see thumbnails.