From the architect:

The Big Quad is the heart of the campus at St Peter’s College. It is an iconic space surrounded by a collection of eclectic heritage buildings from different eras, including Big School Room, Australia’s oldest continuously used learning space.

Matthews Architects have been entrusted with the responsibility of revitalising this important precinct and re-establishing it as the centre of academia within the School. 

The project includes the major renovation of three existing buildings and the creation of a new first floor Senior Study Hub, as well as a sympathetic refresh of the external spaces to improve access and circulation. The formation of a High Street and two House Hubs are significant investments in the pastoral care and campus experience for students. 

There is opportunity through design to build on the already strong pastoral foundations. This could include the way in which Houses are accommodated, facilitated and expressed within the campus. The goal was to return the Big Quad to the centre of mass of the School with senior students accessing and making use of the facilities either in unstructured, self-directed (low to no supervision) or formal timetabled learning environments between the hours of 6am-9pm seven days per week.

The scope of the project was to provide at least 170+ student spaces to undertake independent or collaborative academic work at any one time. A combination of small bookable rooms, possibly with ‘Harkness Table’ format, independent units, and collaborative spaces. A facility to embrace a ‘Resident CEO’ so that the workplace and education can mesh together to enhance easy after-hours access.