Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people
Victoria
The Launch Lab at Bialik College is a vessel for the unmeasurable – fusing library, science, maker space and kitchen garden into an interconnected whole. Reimagining the existing structure, the extension breaks its rigid form, wrapping the site in a translucent ribbon of glass planks. Stepped terraces bridge the science labs with the kitchen garden.
The building’s section follows an underlying philosophy representing the ascent of consciousness. The Ground Floor library and maker space represent the 'Sensory', inviting engagement with the physical world. Rising via a central stair, students enter the First Floor realm of ‘Pure Reason,’ dedicated to science, experimentation and analysis.
Invisible narratives are embedded in this geometry: curves are set to a precise scale of Earth, Moon, and Mars, defining the building as a launchpad for students' futures. Internally, the ‘Cultures of Thinking’ framework drives the design, creating a space grounded in educational theory that fosters exceptional outcomes.
The Launch Lab differentiates Bialik by shifting our educational approach from normative learning to a unique community experience. This is one of the only buildings we know of explicitly 'designed for student thinking,' not just architectural function. The design breaks down the solitary nature of traditional schooling; labs are built on principles of collaboration, with spaces that allow learning to spill out into the corridors, mirroring real-world workplace dynamics.
For our students, the environment is transformative. The bespoke maker spaces and advanced facilities create a university-like atmosphere, inspiring them to see the full possibilities of science before they even graduate
Watson Moss Growcott, Acoustic Consultant
John Mullen & Partners, Civil Consultant
John Mullen & Partners, Structural Engineer
LID Consulting, ESD Consultant
Metro Building Surveying, Building Surveyor
OMNII, Fire Engineer
SPA Consulting Engineers, Services Consultant
Aldona Pajdak Interior Design, Interior Designer
Stratis Landscape Architects, Landscape Consultant