Catherine McAuley College, Mackay – Stage 1 | Bold Architecture

Bold Architecture were engaged to masterplan a new educational facility on the site of the former Sugar Research Institute & Residence (SRI) in Mackay. The repurposing of the State Heritage listed SRI facility into a secondary college continues the great legacy of cutting-edge scientific research & learning in the form of secondary education. The final master plan for the college will be achieved across 5 stages of development. This project is Stage 1 of the masterplan which involved preserving or repurposing all heritage significant elements of the site as well as two new buildings, carparks, site infrastructure and landscaping to enable the commencement of Catherine McAuley College in 2022.

All new buildings are sympathetic to the original Sugar Institute Buildings in their strategic siting and materiality. The buildings are designed using environmental passive design principles to reduce running and maintenance costs whilst creating comfortable spaces to occupy for a better learning experience.