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Educational architecture has moved
ahead in leaps and bounds over the past
few decades. The trickle down effect
of tertiary construction has become a
torrent at secondary and primary levels.
The need for education to remain relevant and
competitive is white hot.
While many established school buildings are gloomy,
the best of the new variety take students and staff
to a much better place. Adelaide’s Concordia College
is further evidence of changing times.
The College’s Nautilus Centre is stage, art studio,
laboratory and sanctuary rolled seamlessly into one.
Central to its design for senior level students, Viridian’s
performance glazing gives voice to the architecture –
and 1300 strong student body – to discover its full
potential. Dissolved structure, concrete vertical fins
towards the quadrangle and double-height glazing
reveal a design narrative tuned to its setting. The result
is a robust elegance. Key elevations reveal and shape
views to optimise circumstance while the interiors
encourage a relaxed informality.
Contrasting the historic sandstone foundation school
(c.1905) the Nautilus Centre is the sharp-looking
descendant. Replacing a worn 1960s teaching block,
the Nautilus Centre is pitched towards the College’s
ethos linking the Sciences and Arts.
The central grassy quadrangle is thankfully kept
intact rather than grabbed as an easy ‘space’ option.
Preservation of this ‘neutral’ space is a reward for all
perimeter buildings.
PROJECT
Nautilus Centre, Concordia College, Adelaide
ARCHITECTS
Russell and Yelland Architects
PRINCIPAL GLAZING
Viridian ComfortPlus™ Clear
& SpectraPrism™ White
TEXT, IMAGES & FILM
Peter & Jenny Hyatt