Our Lady of the Rosary School, Kenmore

Multi-purpose Performing Arts Complex

In association with Yem Architects we were invited by the school to enter a Design Competition for their BER project. The school had identified a need for an indoor facility which could accommodate whole school functions. Such a facility needed to be flexible to host a range of school and community events.

While several locations were being considered by the school, our approach in the winning entry was to commence a Master-Plan that identified the needs of the school beyond the set brief. In our design approach we searched for a potential "heart" within the school that could be linked with the new performing arts space. The new building was positioned to open onto an existing quadrangle thus allowing for an interconnection between the existing and new spaces that could cater not only for school assemblies and performances, but also for functions involving the wider community.

The Western part of the site fronts Moggill Rd. On this edge, we adopted a vertical galvinised metal screen to be utilised as a shading element, the rhythm of which connects with the eucalypts at the edge of the site. The choice to cantilever the building mass over the existing carpark, retained the functionality of the carpark while creating a more elegant form. The brightly coloured canteen zone projects towards the entry, becoming the signature element of the school. On the other hand, the undercroft space of an existing building was utilised for the amenities and music room, saving on costs and space.