Now known as the Richardson Building, it has been described as a "bold and striking modernist building" but public opinion did not always favour its uncompromising functionality.
"The Hocken Building was a critical success with the architectural profession but public resistance to its particular aesthetic has not greatly diminished over time," trust documents say.
Historic Places Trust Otago Southland area manager Owen Graham said the Hocken Building was an "exceptional example" of the work produced at the time and as such met the register's criteria.
While only 30 years old, the building was part of a growing movement to recognising younger nationally important buildings, which included Dunedin's Dental School building.
"The register is not just about things that are 100 years old."
University of Otago Applied Sciences professional practice fellow Michael Findlay, whose research interest is 20th century modern architecture, wrote the registration report.
He said in an interview, while polarising, it was a building of its time - one of the last high-rise concrete buildings built during New Zealand universities' expansion in the 1960s to 1980s and was designed by Dunedin architect Ted McCoy during his most creative period.
It also had a very strong regional character, "it had something to say about Otago's identity", he said.
"You can't just bypass it because [you consider it to be] ugly, concrete, with no merit and a mistake of the past."
While for many in Dunedin "historic" meant the many 19th century buildings in the city, it was also important to identify buildings from other eras which were significant before they were irrevocably modified or demolished as many from that era had been, he said.
"It's a key building of that architectural era."
The building was regarded as nationally and internationally significant and had been recognised in contemporary architectural awards and with its inclusion in an international register, Docomomo, Mr Findlay said.
The building had a troubled history - concrete panels were falling off its facade - but the university was committed to it spending money to stabilise and remediate it, he said.
At a glance
• University of Otago Hocken Building (now Richardson Building)
• Designed by McCoy and Wixon of Dunedin
• Originally called Arts 11 Building
• Completed in 1979
• Constructed of steel-reinforced concrete
• Awarded NZ Institute of Architects national award 1983
• Listed in 'Top 19' buildings by Docomomo in 1999
• One of at least six university buildings to be listed with the trust
