Award for Albeus Fahey Building

The 13th Annual Learning Environments Australasia Awards have been announced and we are so thrilled to share the news that the Albeus Fahey Building at Iona Presentation College was a joint winner in category 2 (New Construction / New Individual Facility over AUD $8 million). The extensive design process incorporated a focused design thinking program, led by NoTosh, to identify the opportunities for developing the teaching and learning experiences to be embraced by Iona Presentation College. EIW Architects participated in developing and articulating a rigorous design brief that informed the learning environment concepts. We are so incredibly proud of this project and grateful to everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.

The judges said:

The Albeus Fahey Building combines a bright contemporary interior cloaked by an exterior that perfectly complements the surrounding buildings – harking back to the early days of education in Western Australia.

The interior is visually stunning with extensive use of glazing and tall voids creating a feeling of light and space that inspires contemplation. Irregular shaped rooms provide visual interest and the challenge of furnishing these spaces has been met well. Traditional learning spaces make way for less rigid and formal spaces that spill out seamlessly into common areas. There are subtle differences between spaces that define their purpose without losing the overall continuity.

Excellent connectivity between spaces (both vertically and horizontally) contribute to a sense of cross curricular collaboration and cooperation – creating a multi-disciplinary “real world” environment.

A mixture of formal and informal teaching spaces lend themselves to different pedagogical styles with the opportunity to host class sizes ranging from the intimate to large-scale with little effort.

Extensive use of timber and natural textiles creates a warmth to the interior spaces and full-length glazing adds to the visual appeal internally and externally.

The external landscaping ties in well with the building and provides excellent linkage to the rest of the campus. The Presentation Walk in particular is a delight, cleverly illustrating the history and origins of the College in an innovative fashion.

An excellent example of a contemporary design that still retains its linkage to the past. This will no doubt become a place where students and teachers feel inspired and energised.

Congratulations is also due to PS Structures Pty Ltd, who also won in the AIB Professional Excellence in Building Awards, under category: Commercial Construction $25 million to $60 million.

Photos thanks to Castledex