Education projects not only offer the opportunity to build new facilities for schools but to introduce students to good design, to improve staff and student interactions and to contribute to quality of life, particularly for those of young, impressionable age.

Pamela Coyne Library, St Monica’s College. Photo by Nils Koenning.

Branch Studio Architects has a done a series of education projects for Melbourne schools in which positive feedback and measurable improvements are a direct result of the design.

Branch Studio Architects’ approach to education projects reflects the firm’s desire to facilitate progressive pedagogical strategies, improve student and teacher interaction and ultimately create an environment that supports students’ wellbeing.

Quaine Library at St Monica’s College. Photo by Peter Clarke.

Breaking away from the stock-standard school environment, directors Brad Wray and Nick Russo take a strong conceptual approach, drawing inspiration from the local context, foreign countries and historical periods. “We consider designing a school library in the same light as if it were a major civic library, or a school canteen as a restaurant, or a bridge as an art gallery,” Brad explains.

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“We consider designing a school library in the same light as if it were a major civic library.” – Brad Wray, co-director Branch Studio Architects
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These conceptual narratives introduce students to architectural thinking, whether they know it or not. Branch Studio referenced the Spanish Steps for Pamela Coyne Library at St Monica’s College, and staff and students still commonly refer to them by this name.

Pamela Coyne Library, St Monica’s College. Photo by Nils Koenning.

“We like the idea that the references we use become a discovery of sorts – rather than a kind of postmodern ‘duck’,” says Brad.

Due to the inherent transience of students and teachers in a school environment, Branch Studio focuses on current actual and future potential student needs. “We create a forward-thinking agenda beyond the secondary and look at a more tertiary narrative; make the wants and needs of students and staff much more than what they just need to be,” Brad says.

Quad Canteen, Caroline Chisholm College. Photo by Peter Clarke.

For Quad Canteen at Caroline Chisholm College, Branch Studio improved the cafeteria space to facilitate social interaction. The result is more students and staff use the new canteen as a primary hub for eating, studying and socialising. The college is also looking to use the space as a venue for events, dinners and executive lunches outside of school hours.

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“We like the idea that the references we use become a discovery of sorts – rather than a kind of postmodern ‘duck’.” – Brad Wray, co-director Branch Studio Architects
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Quad Canteen is one of 12 projects for Caroline Chisholm College since 2014, with the ongoing development including an arts centre, multipurpose hall, science department and technology house. “I am personally most proud of what we have been able to achieve with Principal Marco DiCesare, who is devoted to the welfare and educational development of his students above all else,” Brad says.

Quad Canteen, Caroline Chisholm College. Photo by Peter Clarke.

“Collectively, we have transformed a low-socioeconomic school into an inspired and architecturally diverse environment where students are exposed to good design. The result of this venture has worked so well that it has increased student enrollments.” Other rewarding and measurable results include Quaine and Pamela Coyne libraries, where book borrowing tripled after the projects reopened.

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“The result of this venture has worked so well that it has increased student enrollments.” – Brad Wray, co-director Branch Studio Architects
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“It is of the most utter importance for us that good architecture be available to anyone regardless of their socioeconomic conditions or the like. I am quite an optimist in terms of the power of good design to help improve mental health or simply quality of life,” says Brad.

“It is easy to tick boxes and cater for a brief, but there is something much richer about the more humanistic sensibilities good design can contribute to people’s lives.”

Quaine Library at St Monica’s College. Photo by Peter Clarke.

Take a look back through our education design archives. This project speaks to the themes found in the current issue of Indesign magazine, The ‘Information Age’ issue.

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