Located on historic University Avenue in the centre of Australian National University (ANU) campus, it brings ANU’s Mathematical Science Institute (MSI) and College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) faculties together in a new teaching and research hub. It also incorporates Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) on a top level to promote and support collaboration between Defence and the staff and students of MSI and CECS. Access to leading education/training programs and high-quality graduates aligns well with ASD's need for staff training/development in advanced/mathematical sciences and addresses the critical need for talent identification, attraction and building of a recruitment pipeline for Defence.

The building form references the University’s original Winston masterplan through alignment, form and cladding. The scale and relationship of Hanna Neumann Building recognises the landscape, courtyard settings and the patterns of openings in the surrounding facades creating pathways through the building and under two wings, reinforcing the links between courtyards.

Two wings, distinctively different in facade treatment, connect in a central entry atrium in which a sculptural timber stair links five levels of contemporary collaborative and teaching spaces. The wing reaching to the University Avenue is clad  in a perforated metal screen providing significant solar benefits to west and southwest. The perforation patterns reflect the digital computational patterns evident within the theory of the curriculum. This pattern is repeated within glass frit patterns and internal elements and solar screens to the west and east facades of the beam building.

The parallel wing is dominant building beam with embeded frit patterns and dominant vertical blades. The result is an innovative hybrid of workplace, teaching and student hub, that supports collaboration between disciplines and encourages agile teamwork.

The design of the new building is a considered response to deliver a quality building and series of spatial experiences that deliver both the new learning environments required of a modern campus and a symbolic architecture of strength for the main front door of MSI, important spatial adjunct spaces for CECS and campus presence for ASD.

The building reflects ANU’s status as an international leader in these fields.