Marcellin College: A hub to Nurture Student Wellbeing
Build Date
April 2023
Client
Marcellin College
Location
Bulleen, Victoria
Architect / Designer
Branch Studio Architects
Value
$2M
This extensive school renovation was a radical transformation of space, function and design. The ground floor of the school library and several classrooms formed a dark and dated 1970s wing. They were converted into a light, vibrant and nurturing wellbeing hub for students and counsellors.
Marcellin College’s goal was to foster a stronger sense of community and support by creating a student welfare centre. This was achieved by consolidating Marcellin College’s scattered pastoral care services into one central, safe and welcoming space. The centre’s core is an open, communal area. A quiet space where students could seek a retreat when even the library was getting busy and crowded.
The centre also contains the offices for all of the school’s counsellors and wellbeing officers, meeting and conference rooms and spaces for facilities including photocopiers and cantilevered desks.
MDC Building Group gutted the original configuration of the space, which was almost stall-like, to enable the vision for the new space. This was created through precision fit-out work, joinery and rendering.
Fluid, curvilinear geometry defines the design of the Placidus Centre and flows throughout the space to create a soft, organic and engaging environment. The complex curves and sculptural forms that created the rooms and circulation paths, demanded exceptional, and highly technical, craftsmanship.
The bold, salmon-toned Sorana render is a signature element of the project and finishes almost every surface. Initially a controversial colour choice, the school community has since embraced the warmth and unique character it brings to the centre.
One of the biggest challenges on this project was the high-stakes relocation of the school’s main server room, which had to be moved overnight with almost zero downtime. The new room had to be completed first, with electricity and cooling system operational.
This intricate operation was successfully conducted in close collaboration with the school's IT department and electricians. A lot of brainstorming and troubleshooting was required to work out the most effective and risk-averse way to disconnect and move the server, and get it reconnected as efficiently as possible. It required meticulous planning to protect the servers from dust while also allowing adequate circulation to maintain critical cooling. It was a challenge to get the balance just right but was essential to ensure the seamless transfer of the school's entire data infrastructure into its new location.
Once the server room was ready, a hole was cut in the wall to make the transfer and reboot of the server as seamless as possible . The entire operation was successful with less than 30 minutes’ down time for the servers.
The Centre’s fit-out showcases sophisticated construction techniques used to realise Branch Studio Architect’s ambitious designs. The continual curves meant every detail had to be considered, with extensive marking up, cutting out and joining to ensure the curves were flawless before they could be rendered.
MDC Building Group’s team engineered and expertly concealed structural steel supports within the joinery and walls to support features that appear to float or hang effortlessly, such as cantilevered desks and suspended partitions. The team demonstrated a deep level of problem-solving and technical skill to ensure these features honoured the design intent, while maintaining their functionality.
The fabrication was all completed on-site to avoid access difficulties.
MDC also custom-made the furnishings, including the centre’s striking couches. These were constructed from high density foam, and the upholstery was made by a contractor that the building group works with in Melbourne.
A custom-made round window is another unique feature of the space, constructed from an aluminium frame and round glass.
A dark, dated and unwelcoming space, is now a soft, safe environment where students can seek quiet, peace, collaboration and guidance. MDC Building Group’s attention to detail and meticulous planning and craftsmanship has created a flawless finish on a challenging brief that required innovative solutions to realise innovative and inspiring design features. Most importantly, the renovation has created a space that staff and students enjoy using and spending time in.
