Christian University for Australia - Masterplan

It has been a tremendous honour for Conwell Architects to be selected to partner with Christian University of Australia and take the first steps of initiating a concept Masterplan for the proposed campus site in Maroochydore.

We have been working closely with the University along with the landowner [Peter Wise], to create a plan that is intrinsically linked to place. We look forward to developing this concept further with the stakeholders to ensure a long term sustainable development plan for this key piece of education infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.

“Conwell Architects have captured the heart of the vision for this proposed university in their traditional campus master plan. Intricate design implemented to preserve the natural environment has been the driving force underlying the conceptual process.

Before the first creative thoughts were dreamt, Cameron and Kirsty from Conwell Architects met with Peter Wise on the Wises Road land to hear the stories of this special place. They sought to learn of Peter's passion for the land, and the history the soil held. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, the Conwell team know the significance of this opportunity being granted to us.

Extensive research and prayer inspired this Spirit-breathed master plan. We wholeheartedly believe that not one stone has been overlooked. The plan includes consideration of student accommodation, a chapel, the use of outdoor spaces, sports and recreational facilities, multi-level car-parking, and buildings strategically positioned to interfere with the natural environment as little as possible.

Praise the Lord as He continues to reassure us of His ceaseless faithfulness!

Please stand with us as we believe that the Lord will provide the financial resources we need to purchase the land and see the dream of this campus become a reality.“

More via the link:

https://www.christianuniversityforaustralia.org.au/traditional-multi-acre-campus.html

Floodwaters in Normanton

The recent rain event in north Queensland has made it’s presence felt in Normanton, the site of the recent sports facility built for Gulf CC. During the design process, a great deal of time was spent considering the appropriate level of the building slab in the instance of a significant rain event. Along with the level, consideration was given to finishes, wall construction, plumbing and structure to best weather the storm of the worst case scenario.

Aesthetics are important, but the practical nature of design for environment was foremost in our minds when planning this building - from flood waters to wind driven rain; from extreme operating temperatures to dust ingress.

A member of staff was able to capture these images of the rising waters. It was a great relieve for the design team to see the waters not encroaching into the facility, but stopping just shy. Our thoughts go to those not so fortunate and the people that are volunteering to assist them.

WC Stage 2.5 Progress

We are delighted to report Midson Construction have reached practical completion on Stage 2.5 and the students have begun occupying the various spaces for the start of term. The shade structure has been a big addition to students daily activities and allows them to conduct a variety of activities with some reprieve from the midday sun. As with most of our projects, colour is used with deliberate consideration, particularly when painting structure. We always aim to express hierarchy in structural systems while accenting elements to create a dynamic campus. More images to follow.

WC Stage 2.5 Progress

Large windows to teaching spaces with integrated student seating

Stage 2.5 is powering ahead as Midson Construction were able to use the holiday period to lift large steel into place without risk to students. Insulated panels have been used on the roof along with Z louvres to maximise student comfort levels and increase the hours of operation. This covered area will be a huge change for the students who previously did not have a space to pursue physical education activities without being in full sun.

The internal spaces are also well underway with the large bay windows framed and lined. We are looking forward to seeing how students and educators interact with these bays which offer teaching opportunities along with flooding the spaces with soft natural light.

Contract Signed

We are very happy to announce that construction contracts have been signed for Stage 2.5 of Wisdom College. This project is the first step in a long term vision for the emerging campus. It has taken a lot of work to reach this point and we are all looking forward to seeing it completed and used by students in 2019.

The project consists of 3x GLA classrooms, a store room and an external play structure.

Design in an Industrial Typology

Design takes it form in many ways depending on the needs of the project. Sometimes it is all about the major planning arrangement of space and function, sometimes a project requires careful consideration of form/material and how they meet; then sometimes you have a project where the typology or budget limit the means to input expression that goes beyond the easiest/cheapest solution.

Recent projects have led us to explore design consideration in all areas of the project, regardless of scale, material, function and budget. An example of this was the recent sports hall in Normanton. Functionally, the space required a robust steel portal frame - a building typology that that has been done thousands of times before in sheds across the country. How can we add ‘design’ to an already proven industrial model?

The answer was to look at the steel detailing, and establish hierarchy. There are many architects who choose to highlight structural steel with colour, which we did in this case - but limited it to just the portal frames giving them visual significance over the other steel. The next move was to shift the plane of the purlin louvers to outside the line of the portal frame. This reinforced the importance of the portal, and creates the impression of a continuous external facade where one does not exist.

The Gideon Haigh Stand

Conwell Architects was approached by South Yarra Cricket Club to investigate opportunities to design a second sports stand to the Como Park facility. Como park has two ovals side by side and while one oval is serviced by a symmetrical brick clubhouse, the remaining oval means players and spectators are without protection from the elements. This second stand facilitates the seating and viewing of sports and events on the oval sufficient for two teams + spectators. The design looks to present a contemporary form that does not try to emulate the existing art-deco notes of the main clubhouse, but make reference to it via material and symmetry.

The stand has been unofficially coined ‘The Gideon Haigh Stand’, in reference to the South Yarra CC stalwart and journalist. www.gideonhaigh.com

The local municipal, The City of Stonnington, is currently reviewing the park’s masterplan. We hope the stand will feature in the planning of the park in order to service the people that enjoy it’s qualities every weekend.