Ambrose Treacy College Stage A: Edmund Rice Building Refurbishment

Originally designed by JP Donoghue and Charlie Fulton, The Edmund Rice Building has over 80 years of history. Designed originally as a boarding school the campus was taken over during the WW2 as an American Military Hospital and in the early 90’s modified to become an offices for Edmund Rice Education. A maze of office spaces and infill ceilings to the buildings saw its distinct character lost. Degraded and in much need of repair the Stage A works undertook to revert the building to its once former glory, including peeling back the infill work to reveal vaulted dorm ceilings, whilst modifying its function into new general and specialist teaching spaces and reception spaces for Ambrose Treacy College.

The aim for the interior spaces is to respect the history and historical features while imbuing the interiors with new purpose and vigour. Each space was given a separate identity reflecting its function and its user. The Public reception, Administration, Student Reception, GLAs and Specialist learning spaces are notable examples.

The Public reception has been renovated to renew its quality of finish, retaining the features and feel of the original building. Any inclusions in the space are sensitively positioned and reflect craftsmanship and formality. Administration acts as a transaction point between the Public Reception and the Student Reception. The Administrations use of neutral materials provides warmth and texture while the layout remaining practical and functional meeting the needs of staff and visitors. An injection of bright colour, pattern and texture to the Student Reception denotes the student spaces from the formal heritage spaces, giving the students space a distinct identity.

The GLA and Specialist learning rooms have been restored to uncover the original features and enlivened with the use of dynamic colour and pattern. Each space has a vibrant palette of colour and provides a dynamic reinterpretation of historic elements. The voluminous space has been revealed and traditional signage reflect the room’s original features while the colourful herringbone carpet, bright surfaces and inventive layout provides a stimulating backdrop for learning.

Externally there has been a play of elements with the new Covered Lunch Area, Art Deck and new Head of Primary facilities. Colour has been used with restraint, as an accent or burst of colour on what is predominately a traditional selection of materials. The additions to the original building use a palette of material that features timber, glass and aluminium, complementing the existing selections of brick and stone with lightweight materials and an open, welcoming design philosophy. The renovation of the college’s original buildings has provided a reawakening of the spirit of the existing and has imbued the much respected Nudgee Junior College with renewed life and purpose.

In 2015, Ambrose Treacy College Stage A: Edmund Rice Building refurbishment won an Australian Institute of Architects Brisbane Regional Commendation in the Education category!