Emmanuel College Warnambool – Year 9 Learning Centre | Baldasso Cortese

Edmund Rice Centre is a confident and highly considered addition to the Warrnambool campus that supports independence and belonging in a transitional, year 9 stage of learning. The project’s skillful siting transforms a constrained site shaped by complex easements, level changes and neighbouring interfaces into an opportunity for stronger campus connection and integration.  

Clad in Colorbond Manor Red, the building references the roofs of Victoria’s south-west coast, while connecting to the College’s tradition and historic buildings. Internally, the learning environment is organised into three learning domains – Wisdom, Communication and Discovery, each with its own spatial character, creating a balance between individuality and cohesion. Classroom arrangements, even within compact footprints, are planned to feel purposeful and highly effective in use, while curated visual and physical connections to breakout and circulation spaces encourage collaboration. Framed views foster a strong sense of awareness and connectedness between staff and students without compromising autonomy, while a range of bookable meeting rooms empower students to work independently and take ownership of their educational experience.  

Centrally, a protected courtyard becomes both social hub and wayfinding device – an intuitive anchor that continually draws students together, providing moments of calm reflection and collective identity within an active campus environment.