The new Academic Resources Centre and Canteen for St Mary Mackillop College provides senior students with spaces to socialise, study and collaborate. CCJ designed a complete strip out and modification of a 680m2 former science block and inserted new student collaborative work areas, a 120-seat lecture theatre, student wellbeing and staff areas. A new 300m2 extension (that architecturally references the adjacent new science and classroom buildings) incorporates a cafe style canteen that operates as the central hub of student activity. A colonnade provides external connections between key spaces within the ARC, nearby Library building and landscaped gathering areas.

“This beautiful facility has not only enhanced but has been integrated into the pedagogy of the senior school. The new lecture theatre and adjoining spaces are in constant demand by College staff, students and for community events. The study nooks form quiet spaces for individual student study and allow for supervision from adjoining offices. The cafe is a stunning and contemporary meeting place for students to both study and socialise and student demand and care for this space reflects their love of this new facility. The sculptured landscape to the north side has created beautiful spaces for students to gather while also creating a street feel between this new building and the new buildings provided in an earlier stage of work.”

Ms Sandra Darley, SMMC Isabella Plains Campus Head

The building received a commendation for Educational Architecture by the Australian Institute of Architects.