Lavalla Catholic College Arts & Technology
“Lavalla Catholic College required a signature building to house its Arts and Technology program”
Client Name: Lavalla Catholic College
Area: 815m²
Construction Budget: $1.6m
Builder: Becon Constructions
Slap Architects were engaged to design a project that fulfilled the College’s requirement for a new education building that showcased their practical, graphic and technology based arts programs. Part of the brief was to create a building that was distinctly contemporary on the existing campus.
The building comprises a low rectangular brick form that houses the classrooms and that is sympathetic to the surrounding buildings architecture and materials. A pyramid roof rises from its centre and forms the dynamic central gallery area below. Due to the requirement for the classrooms to use the wall space extensively, the external windows were placed above the surrounding benches and used to emphasise the horizontal.
The building contains 4 classrooms with a central corridor that is also the gallery space with a ceiling that rises towards an apex with skylights at both ends. The gallery displays the students work, making it available to both the public and school community as required. There are also associated service areas.
The central gallery area is a play of dark and light colours, positive and negative light formed by the skylights and the high ceiling. The classrooms use orange and green colours to distinguish them and to generate lively, creative spaces. The classrooms are open plan and regularly have the furniture arranged so that the space can be used for different education modes from traditional based teaching, to group based or individual arrangements.
Lavalla Catholic College Trade Skills Centre
“Lavalla Catholic College engaged Slap Architects to help produce a funding application for the federal government Trade Skills Centre Program and design the building for the colleges specific needs.”
Client Name: Lavalla Catholic College
Area: 675m²
Construction Budget: $1 Million
Builder: Farnham Developments
Slap Architects assisted Lavalla Catholic College with the funding application for the Federal Government’s Trade Skills Centre program. The first stage was for Slap to produce a design that met the funding requirements, and in conjunction with a Quantity Surveyor and the college, produce an application. The college was successful in its application and then engaged SLAP to refine the design, document , and put the project out to tender and then administer the project.
The design houses engineering and construction teaching workshops, as well as materials storage, a theory room, office, C & C machine room and outdoor works spaces.
The building’s design is based on a basic steel portal frame commercial workshop but uses a palette of materials and colours that were chosen in conjunction with the school to integrate the building within the campus. The building is grounded on a red brick plinth, similar to the surrounding buildings, and uses a variety of steel colorbond cladding and clear polycarbonate windows to produce a “chequered” façade.
The interior has been softened with the use of plywood on the walls to contrast with the concrete floor and steel walls.
Australian Technical College - Sale Campus
Client:
Australian Technical College
Area:
1050m²
Construction Budget:
$3.0 Million
Builder:
Lemchens & Skulte Pty Ltd
The Australian Technical College wanted an exciting learning environment for young adults, whilst maintaining an environmentally sustainable
approach. A playful character is expressed by the curved roofs, which also provide natural light and ventilation to the internal spaces of the complex. The interiors use warm, but bright earthy tones and natural materials such as timber floors and external cladding. Bold directional striped carpet is used to emphasise the rectilinear element of the design and to complement the block colours used on the walls and joinery. Natural lighting is employed extensively without the issues of glare through highlight windows and skylights.