The project at Magdlene Catholic College (MCC), Narellan involved the analysis of existing facilities to assess their compliance with current school planning standards and the masterplan for the development of the school from 900 to 1240 students.

Planning involved a brief development and consultation with school user groups resulting the proposed development of the Multipurpose Hall. The new facility enables a broad range of pursuits and activities to be available to the students and was designed to be a fully versatile building.

The new MPH connects into a string covered way circulation route. It is located at the front of the school. The Hall features a bold roof form and extensive high-level translucent polycarbonate cladding which will emit a glow in the evening when the hall is occupied.  This will aid orientation to the Hall for evening events.

The Hall is nestled into the site so that it does not dominate the school frontage and is designed to relate to and complement the existing school architecture whilst off-setting the significant bulk of the neighboring warehouses.  The design addresses its orientation and climate with consideration to shading devices for sun control, operable high-level louvres and lower level sliding doors to capture cross ventilation.

Client:             Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong

Location:         Narellan

Size:                 1,880sqm

Value:              $6.3m

Status:             Complete 2022

Alleanza Team:  Phoebe Glanville, Ben Cooper, Charles Glanville

Collaborators: CityPlan Services, Groundink, Varga Traffic Planning, Vista Access Architects, Day Design, Abel & Brown, Cracknell Lonergan, Taylor & Partners, Partners Energy, JJ Marino & Associates, Henry & Hymas, Two M’s, Northrop Consulting Engineers

Contractor: Steve-Watt Construction

Photographer: Jarrod Bryant