Cannon Hill Anglican College D Block

Working in conjunction with the College’s masterplan, D Block is a high-profile location for the campus forming a critical connection for the linear journey from Prep to Year 12. The building is a natural entry point into the campus and is an important intersection between the senior and middle schools. The building needed to provide flexibility in using the space acknowledging the College’s desire to be able to use the space for a wide variety of functions, events and learning experiences.

D Block creates a new double-storey building housing new teaching/learning spaces, breakout spaces, an outdoor deck, student amenities, a contemporary kitchen and a new student food and beverage precinct. The design responded to the existing bushland. The construction of the building had minimal disruption to existing mature trees on the campus. Choosing a palette of white brick enhances the sense of surrounding bushland by providing a background for the leaf shadows from the trees. The bushland inspired interior colours (muted greys, greens and pinks) work as “wayfinding” prompts, helping students and visitors to the campus to navigate through the area.

The building gives the College flexibility to be able to use the space for a wide variety of functions, events and learning experiences. Utilising undercrofts as spaces for outdoor learning created additional functional areas for the school with less building footprint. Operable walls ensure spaces are flexible, minimising future alterations. Equal importance was placed on the student and staff experience as opposed to prioritising one over the other. The building is designed to be a high-quality, long-term investment for the school which will age and weather minimally. Brickwork was chosen as a natural material with little to no ongoing maintenance.

The building is designed to be a high-quality, long-term investment for the school which will age and weather minimally. Brickwork was chosen as a natural material with little to no ongoing maintenance. Other finishes including raw concrete, terrazzo, powdercoated metal and plywood are similarly robust. By giving attention to the form and brick detailing of D Block, the building creates memorable spatial experiences; an idiosyncractic design far removed from the regimented, structurally repetitive traditional school building. D Block was designed to take advantage of passive design principles. In contrast to many modern school buildings, D Block is primarily intended to be naturally ventilated and naturally lit. The building has adopted an information system that displays the energy and water usage of the building which is an educational tool for the users and students. Central to the design is a a high-quality dining space that puts food culture at the centre of the campus/college (literally and psychologically) very much a move away from old school ‘canteen’ model to a more mindful and less chaotic experiences. A collective place for all students, different experiences and environments but encouraging eating together rather than dispersed that suits a variety of age groups and preferences.