HENDERSON COLLEGE YEARS 5- 8 & HOME ECONOMICS
This project is Stage 2 of the Henderson College Masterplan, endorsed in July 2016. In addition to general learning studios for students in Years 5-8, the building also houses a Food Technology studio and a Fabric Technology studio. Spaces such as student retreat spaces, flexible learning area, laundry and covered outdoor learning have been included to support staff and students.
Client
Henderson College
Project Type
Education/ Masterplanning
Traditional Owners
First People of the Millewa Mallee, Latji Latji, Ngintait people
Completed
2020
Simplicity of form
Both externally and internally, the design features the use of simple materials with low environmental impact—brick, metal cladding, marmoleum flooring and plywood—balancing longevity with ease of maintenance. The design adopts a simple building form and tectonic for ease of construction, to minimise material wastage, and to be adaptable to future changes. Circulation is managed by arranging general learning spaces and the Food and Fabric Technology studios along a flexible learning space that forms the ‘spine’ of the building, where a feature faceted plywood ceiling grows out of a joinery bench and unfolds across the ceiling, providing seating, pinup space, acoustic attenuation and concealment of building services. The flexible learning space opens directly onto an existing courtyard, providing a connection to existing campus facilities.
Internal and external connections
The Home Economic facilities have been centralised for ease of use by both junior and senior classes. Generous glazed sliding doors provide direct physical and visual connections between the Food Technology studio, covered outdoor dining area and veggie garden beyond, allowing a ‘farm-to-table’ style of pedagogy to happen. An operable wall between the Food and Fabric Technology studios provides flexibility within these spaces and promotes resource sharing and cross-pollination between learning communities. Smaller and acoustically separated spaces for meetings, small group discussion, and student retreat are strategically located adjacent to learning spaces throughout the building, where students can feel connected to the broader learning community even in seclusion.
KDA Team
Robert Bienvenu, Karolien Vanhee, Allison Jessup, Dominic On, Claire Carson
Acknowledgements
Photographer
Shayne Hill of Xtreme Visuals