Queensland
Brisbane
Working in conjunction with the College’s masterplan, the new building is a high-profile location for the campus and forms a critical connection for the linear journey from Prep to Year 12. The building provides a natural entry point into the campus and is an important intersection between the senior and middle schools. The building was intended to give CHAC flexibility in using the space acknowledging the College’s desire as part of the Masterplan to be able to use the space for a wide variety of functions, events and learning experiences.
Choosing a palette of white brick enhances the sense of surrounding bushland by providing a perfect background for the leaf shadows from the surrounding trees. The bushland inspired interior colour palette of muted greys, greens and pinks work as “wayfinding” prompts, helping students and visitors to the campus to navigate through the area.
Centrally located at the intersection between senior and middle schools, D Block delivers a vibrant new dining and learning precinct through a sophisticated and poetic response to its bush setting.
The long, thin building is surrounded by mature eucalypts and is a comfortable and sensitive response to landscape, topography, and climate. Soft curves and round columns continue the language of the surrounding bush, and the white brick becomes a backdrop for nature’s shifting shadows. Roof apertures draw light in at key nodes and are complemented by a palette that is again drawn from the landscape—soft greens, pinks, and greys are contrasted with the vibrant yellow of wattle.
Moving through and around the building is a delightful and memorable journey of framed composition and sensory moments. Together, light and colour enhance wayfinding and bring a joyful lightness to the building. This development brings new legibility, critical connection, and soul to the campus. It exemplifies and demonstrates the benefits of an investment in quality, sustainable design that will nurture generations of students and stand the test of time.
“The design fits beautifully into the natural environment and creates generous, flexible learning spaces that the students and teachers love”.
Anna Zervoudakis, Graduate of Architecture
Emma Healy, Design Architect
Erene Niyonsaba, Graduate of Architecture
Jason Walters, Design Architect
Paul Worroll, Design Architect
Russell Peters, Graduate of Architecture
Simon Depczynski, Project Architect
Aqualogical Plumbing Design Solutions, Hydraulic Consultant
Ashburner Francis, Electrical Consultant
Bligh Tanner, Structural Engineer
JFP Urban Consultants, Landscape Consultant
JHA Consulting, Mechanical Engineer
McKenzie Group, Building Certifier
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
