SanproConstruction

Functional design meets future needs at Seton Catholic College

hile there has been a push recently toward lightweight prefabricated accommodation, the College should be commended for taking a longer-W term, more sustainable approach.

THE TEAM Photos Silvertone Photogrpahy

Phone: 9470 9241 www.sanproconstruction.com.au

“They have created a set of beautiful, durable, permanent buildings that will stand the test of time, and welcome and inspire generations of students, staff and parents”

“The buildings… needed to reflect the core Christian qualities that the College holds dear – values of simplicity, honesty, care and generosity”

“The use of materials which combine limestone with timber accents has created not only a functional building, but one that lifts the whole community”

Functionality grounded in nature meets graceful design in the cluster of new buildings at Seton Catholic College in Samson. The Mother Seton Centre is just that – the “mother” of the campus, housing a new administration block, state-of-the-art classrooms, staff amenities and a staffroom – the whole forming an elegant new entrance to the existing College.

Designed by Parry and Rosenthal Architects and built by Sanpro Construction, the $6.3 million project, completed in April, sets the tone for the entire campus – exemplifying Seton’s philosophy that “every interaction matters”.

Timeless gateway to campus “The buildings are the first point of contact with visitors and a gateway into the campus,” says Parry and Rosenthal Architects’ director, Michael Savage. “They set the tone for the campus and they needed to reflect the core Christian qualities that the College holds dear – values of simplicity, honesty, care and generosity.”

Design, as always, is pivotal to the effective functionality of spaces. The buildings are arranged on a small site at the front of the College as a human-scaled, double-storey, village-like cluster of simple cubic forms on either side of the main axis into the campus.

Completing the edge of the existing landscaped court, they provide a transition from the upper carpark level to the courtyard below.

Mr Savage says the College has taken a longer-term, more sustainable approach to the expansion of the campus facilities.

“They have created a set of beautiful, durable, permanent buildings that reflect the ethos of the school, will stand the test of time and welcome and inspire generations of students, staff and parents,” he says. Nature leads design Nature, and the use of natural elements and materials, plays a leading role in the exterior design. The natural limestone blocks facing the external walls are complemented by the warm timber accents of the high-level cedar eaves and canopy soffits, as well as the two magnificent feature glulam beams featured in the walkway through the middle of the building.

The limestone blocks contrast with the white precast concrete beams, window sills and header courses. The natural stone walls also tie in with the colour of the adjacent limestone and face brick buildings, radiating generous warmth throughout the entire development.

Charcoal coloured aluminium door and window framing and Axon CFC vertical joint cladding on the upper level complete the exterior, floating the roof above the stone walls and providing a sharp contrast with the natural hues.

The roofing is Fielders’ Prominence Finesse 265mm panel in matt steel Colorbond, its low-profile 25mm rib height creating a sophisticated, modern look. The traditional pitched roof style with overhanging eaves provides a practical, economical cover for the buildings and shading for the windows.

Calm, neutral interior Internally, materials and finishes are similarly calm and neutral. The high ceilings, limestone cladding, painted plasterboard and impressive, large aluminium-framed openings create links to the exterior.

White oak doors and timber batten cladding and screens, stone floor tiles and limestone walls, provide a sense of permanence and warmth. Interiors are filled with natural light from skylights and the continuous glazing around the perimeter of the buildings.

The large, engraved stone bench in the reception area makes an eye-catching statement.

Bushland views Glazed links between the buildings continue the theme of linking structure and nature, providing views out into the natural bushland and the shady, tree-filled main courtyard.

The upper-level administration enjoys north-facing views over the precinct, while the lower-level staff room and classrooms open directly onto the courtyard.

Careful consideration of the landscaping and its integration into the overall design was paramount, says Mr Savage.

“Great care was taken to retain the existing mature trees on the site and throughout the courtyard and car parks. As a result, minimal landscaping was required and the new development has a feeling of maturity; that it has always been there.” Concrete challenges The most challenging aspect of the construction was the delivery of the large precast concrete beams, columns and the delta core flooring to the small site, says Sanpro Construction project manager Sheldon Carrick. A further challenge was the laying of the face limestone blocks which could only be done in dry conditions.

“Completing the limestone feature walls was one of the most critical tasks,” he says. “We had to ensure the stone was protected from the elements for them to be laid correctly and to the expectations of the client and architect. These walls are a major feature of the project and catch the eye of anyone who drives past the College.

“The site itself was quite tight and the distance from the lowerlevel areas of the school to reach the first floor of the build was a decent one.”

Expert tradesmen “The feature precast concrete sills, weighing up to two tonnes, had to be lifted into position onto the existing brickwork and limestone.

“This proved challenging, as we still had scaffolding around the building, but we required the sills to be in place to install the aluminium, internal ceilings and external cladding,” he says.

“Manoeuvring these large units onto and around the scaffolding and over installed walls was something we will never forget – any

damage, and the entire sill would have had to be replaced. Thankfully, due to the expertise of the workers on site, this didn’t occur.”

The project also involved developing new parking along the streets bordering the campus. To minimise disruption, construction was scheduled as far as possible in the school holidays and during business hours.

“We had to ensure all the trades were lined up and scheduled ready to complete the works in the two week holiday period,” he says.

Beautiful, timeless Seton Catholic College principal Joseph Hoyne says the new Mother Seton Centre allowed the previous staff room to be converted into an education support centre, while the previous administration precinct has been converted to the new student wellbeing centre.

“Being on a small footprint meant the Mother Seton Centre needed to fit within a compact and tight area at the front of the school,” he says.

“What has been built did not encroach on the current site, but has created a courtyard space that has enhanced the entrance to the College.

“The use of materials which combine limestone with timber accents has created not only a functional building, but one that lifts the whole community.”