Campus combines the needs of many in one

The Margaret River Education Campus caters for regional educational needs and is a unique joint venture between the South West Regional College of TAFE, Curtin and Edith Cowan universities, and the Margaret River Senior High School.

While there is not the demand for the four separate institutions to have a presence in the area, combining them on one campus caters for demand and helps ensure that education options are open to those who live in regional areas, according to architect Peter Hobbs from Jones Coulter Young.

“The project was very demanding with lots of different client needs, but was a model for regional education,” Mr Hobbs said. “There is a wide range of educational buildings and facilities on the campus, including an administration centre, staff facilities, general and computer teaching spaces, a resources area, student common room, a horticulture complex, an art facility, and a training winery replete with tasting areas, a training kitchen and fully serviced microbiology laboratories. We tried to make the buildings look like a rural hamlet in a modern way.

“The campus is very much set up on environmental principles, and there is a big emphasis on reduced energy use.”

The jury said the Margaret River Education Campus was a commendable example of regional expressionism and used individual building elements to produce a new and distinctive regional language.

DEPT HOUSING & WORKS award

Building

Margaret River Education Campus.

Architects

Jones Coulter Young in association with Neil Tweedie Architect.

JM & ED Moore (builder).

Jury comments

“A de-centralised village style site plan .... maximises the opportunities for passive solar design as well as access to natural light and ventilation.”