Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation
Victoria
The Coolock Centre at Padua College is designed as a “school within a school,” supporting 550 Year 7 and 8 students as they transition into secondary education. Its Y-shaped form, with curved parapets, creates a distinctive silhouette while responding to site constraints, including the adjacent oval, existing structures, and two converging easements. The massing shapes a sheltered gathering space, protected from coastal winds, while the shingle-clad façade is intended to weather naturally.
The three-wing layout reflects the College’s House system, with General Learning Areas above and key student services below. Breakout spaces at each wing’s core provide a supportive environment, enhanced by natural light and ventilation. At its heart, a sculpted multi-purpose hub, illuminated by an oculus, houses lectures, assemblies, and a 140-seat amphitheatre. The Y-shaped form emerges from carefully negotiating the landscape, transforming challenges into design opportunities, and resulting in a sculptural, durable, and joyful architectural outcome.
The project surpassed expectations aesthetically and inspirationally. From day one, Coolock fostered belonging for Year 7/8 students, addressing school reluctance. Its welcoming, spacious reception provides calmness and incidental interactions, supporting well-being through flexible withdrawal spaces. Visible staff offices, open layouts, and glass walls enhance safety and accessibility. Housing 550 students, the design bridges smaller primary schools to Padua’s larger community, easing transitions with thoughtful planning. The scale acts as a stepping stone, balancing familiarity and growth. Prioritizing visibility, safety, and belonging, Coolock creates an environment where students thrive emotionally and academically, integrating them seamlessly into the broader school community.
Steven Cortese, Design Architect
Tim Pyke, Design Architect
Shirley Cooper, Senior Interior Designer
Leore Ben-David, Project Architect
Katsura Naruwasa, Project Architect
FMG, Structural Engineer
Intrax, Services Consultant
Tract, Landscape Consultant
Design Guide, Building Surveyor
Access Studio, Accesibility
Prowse, Quantity Surveyor