JOHN CUNNINGHAM STUDENT CENTRE
The Scots CollegeBellevue Hill NSW 2023
Photo by Alex Donnini Photography
Photo by Melina Bilotta
The Principal Dr Ian Lambert enunciated a vision for the JCSC as a ‘hub’ and central point for students, staff & visitors with an array of functions brought together to create a student centre.
Photo by Melina Bilotta
Photo by Melina Bilotta
The John Cunningham Student Centre, in Scottish Baronial Style, is placed correctly between the Italianate Style (Aspinall House) & Georgian Revival period (Main School Building), creating a sensitive link to give the precinct a historical neat fit, representing the association with Scottish history, Scottish values & traditions which are at the core of the Scots Culture.
Its application is appropriate in that it underscores the College heritage and its cultural link with Scotland. The architecture is deliberately articulated as a large house, fitting within a pattern of buildings more ‘domestic’ & human in scale and detailing, as they were from the outset in 1895 at St Killians.
The site was occupied by a Neo-Brutalist building which no longer served the College’s needs.
Its application is appropriate in that it underscores the College heritage and its cultural link with Scotland. The architecture is deliberately articulated as a large house, fitting within a pattern of buildings more ‘domestic’ & human in scale and detailing, as they were from the outset in 1895 at St Killians.
The site was occupied by a Neo-Brutalist building which no longer served the College’s needs.
Top left: Tour of Bryce Buildings | Bottom left: John Cockings, bust of David Bryce and Dr. Alastair DisleyRight: Illustration of Craigends House. Source: Dr. Alastair Disley
The greatest exponent of the Scottish Baronial Style was David Bryce (1803-1876), an Edinburgh architect who designed more than 230 buildings.
Design work for the JCSC was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Alastair Disley, University of Edinburgh based Architectural Historian and recognised expert in Scots Baronial style. The office undertook a tour of Bryce buildings to ensure that the composition, massing & approach to detailing remains true to the general principles underlying the style.
The design successfully addresses links to different external ground levels, creating arrival points and a new main entrance.
Design work for the JCSC was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Alastair Disley, University of Edinburgh based Architectural Historian and recognised expert in Scots Baronial style. The office undertook a tour of Bryce buildings to ensure that the composition, massing & approach to detailing remains true to the general principles underlying the style.
The design successfully addresses links to different external ground levels, creating arrival points and a new main entrance.
Photo by Alex Donnini Photography
Photo by Melina Bilotta
Collaboration with skilled craftsmen was key to producing intricate detailing in sandstone, timber joinery and fibrous plaster. The structural engineer supported the design’s environmental commitment in retaining the original concrete frame to reduce the projects carbon footprint. Specialist consultants ensured the building meets & exceeds contemporary safety and environmental standards
Photo by Pablo Veiga
Photo by Alex Donnini Photography
Photo by Alex Donnini Photography
Photo by Alex Donnini Photography
Photo by Melina Bilotta
Life Cycle Analysis was at the forefront of the design process. The selection process for materials began with a lifecycle assessment, prioritising durability, low maintenance, long lifespan with a view to double the typical lifespanª of educational buildings, targeting a minimum of 100 years.
ªAndersen, R. and Negendahl, K. (2023) ‘Lifespan prediction of existing building typologies’, Journal of Building Engineering, 65, p. 10569
Dry pressed bricksKnown for strength and dimensional stability. Constructed using English Garden Bond, the result is a stable wall whose thickness provides an excellent thermal mass to regulate the internal environment.
Lime render & plasterUsed in place of contemporary cement render for its ability to regulate moisture and vapour, help prevent dampness and mould growth. Lime render is self-healing, has great resistance to cracking and it is a recyclable material. An oxide pigment was added to the mix, eliminating the need to re-paint.
SandstoneKey element in the facade was sourced from the excavation at 200 George Street during the construction of the EY centre. The material was shaped, dressed and repurposed, further reducing the project’s environmental footprint.
Bronze Casement WindowsSolid bronze frames and panels were used to create windows and doors which are durable and patina naturally, creating a visually-appealing protective layer, resistant to corrosion, which doesn’t require re-coating or re-painting.
LeadUsed for flashings, gutters and cladding, it is exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion and can be recycled.
The College maintains several heritage-listed buildings and the design team took cues from those structures on which materials could be readily maintained for an extended lifecycle.
Lime render & plasterUsed in place of contemporary cement render for its ability to regulate moisture and vapour, help prevent dampness and mould growth. Lime render is self-healing, has great resistance to cracking and it is a recyclable material. An oxide pigment was added to the mix, eliminating the need to re-paint.
SandstoneKey element in the facade was sourced from the excavation at 200 George Street during the construction of the EY centre. The material was shaped, dressed and repurposed, further reducing the project’s environmental footprint.
Bronze Casement WindowsSolid bronze frames and panels were used to create windows and doors which are durable and patina naturally, creating a visually-appealing protective layer, resistant to corrosion, which doesn’t require re-coating or re-painting.
LeadUsed for flashings, gutters and cladding, it is exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion and can be recycled.
The College maintains several heritage-listed buildings and the design team took cues from those structures on which materials could be readily maintained for an extended lifecycle.
The project focused on the diverse needs of boys to provide multi-purpose spaces, bringing together counselling, pastoral care and allied health services. It provides a setting which normalises access to such care.
Spaces are intended to encourage social interaction. The interior design focused on spatial planning, arrival, entry, circulation routes and the optimal places of services.
Circulation routes are thoughtfully designed to encourage spontaneous, informal interactions between staff and students, to enhance communication and build a sense of community. The building facilitates hosting of College events and underscores its role as a gathering point for students, staff and the Scots Community.
Spaces are intended to encourage social interaction. The interior design focused on spatial planning, arrival, entry, circulation routes and the optimal places of services.
Circulation routes are thoughtfully designed to encourage spontaneous, informal interactions between staff and students, to enhance communication and build a sense of community. The building facilitates hosting of College events and underscores its role as a gathering point for students, staff and the Scots Community.
