Architecture & Urbanism
In
2021, St Mary’s Girls College merged with CBC St Kilda to became a new,
co-educational college renamed St Mary’s College. The former CBC St Kilda, was founded
in 1878 and had been providing education for 138 years.
Katsieris Origami were engaged by the college to develop transformative and visionary Master Plans for both the St Kilda East and Balaclava Campuses.
The existing campuses were modified countless times over the decades and spanned the full gamut of differing architectural styles dating back to the original historic buildings constructed in 1878.
The Master Plan project involved developing a detailed understanding of the existing multi-level campuses which included a variety of historic buildings, mid-century brutalist buildings, newer structures, disaggregated open spaces and adjacent public realm.
Our work undertook a detailed analysis of the existing uses and circulation patterns of both college campuses. We spent time in classrooms observing first-hand the limitations that outmoded existing learning spaces imposed on the delivery of contemporary teaching.
Our Master Plan proposed the strategic removal of existing built fabric to be replaced with an incremental enlargement and rebuilding of specific buildings and spaces. We likened our work to architectural acupuncture; the precise targeting and unlocking of specific points within the campus that were causing significant blockage to the flow of learning.
The Master Plan re-envisioned the campuses of the near future. They would be transformed from campuses of single-purpose buildings; long corridors with endless rows of identical, cellular classrooms into wider, more flexible, engaging learning environments for the college community.
Traditional and Continuing Land
Country of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunerong people
Client
St Mary’s College (Formerly CBC St Kilda)
Area
11,000 m2
Levels
4
Status
Current
Katsieris Origami were engaged by the college to develop transformative and visionary Master Plans for both the St Kilda East and Balaclava Campuses.
The existing campuses were modified countless times over the decades and spanned the full gamut of differing architectural styles dating back to the original historic buildings constructed in 1878.
The Master Plan project involved developing a detailed understanding of the existing multi-level campuses which included a variety of historic buildings, mid-century brutalist buildings, newer structures, disaggregated open spaces and adjacent public realm.
Our work undertook a detailed analysis of the existing uses and circulation patterns of both college campuses. We spent time in classrooms observing first-hand the limitations that outmoded existing learning spaces imposed on the delivery of contemporary teaching.
Our Master Plan proposed the strategic removal of existing built fabric to be replaced with an incremental enlargement and rebuilding of specific buildings and spaces. We likened our work to architectural acupuncture; the precise targeting and unlocking of specific points within the campus that were causing significant blockage to the flow of learning.
The Master Plan re-envisioned the campuses of the near future. They would be transformed from campuses of single-purpose buildings; long corridors with endless rows of identical, cellular classrooms into wider, more flexible, engaging learning environments for the college community.
Traditional and Continuing Land
Country of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunerong people
Client
St Mary’s College (Formerly CBC St Kilda)
Area
11,000 m2
Levels
4
Status
Current