Australian Capital Territory
St. Clare’s College has taken student well-being as a priority with their new Learning Commons.
This learning and social hub is designed to create a calm and uplifting environment, with biophilic design elements that promote positive mental health and wellness. The building provides a variety of spaces that cater to different learning styles, including quiet areas for individual study and collaborative spaces for group work.
The Learning Commons unifies the existing 1960s campus and establishes itself as a central hub for the college community. The building’s facade features vertical sunshade fins to regulate sunlight and provide privacy, with an overall outcome that exceeds energy efficiency standards.
With student engagement and wellbeing at the heart of the design, the Learning Commons is an inspiring space for students to learn and grow.
The design of the Learning Commons is integral to its educational purpose as a multifunctional learning space.
Level 2 provides extraordinary opportunities for senior students to socialise and study within an environment that is both visually connected to the outside, yet cocooned in the supportive structure of the Learning Commons. Level 1 is focussed on ‘reading’ with the design channelling students along the book stands with opportunities for individual, supported and collaborative reading.
The ground floor’s five unique, but interconnected spaces encourage teachers to explore flexible and creative ways to teach and for students to be inspired in their learning.
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.
