The Scots College, John Cunningham Student Centre

Image courtesy of JCA Architects

Located at the heart of the senior school campus in Bellevue Hill, the new Centre will not only deliver a state of the art educational facility but also act as a physical embodiment of the College’s Scottish heritage.

The John Cunningham Student Centre is a new addition and upgrade to the existing Stevenson Library building within The Scots College situated in Bellevue Hill. Works will transform what is now a bare structure into a larger and more practical building with modern amenities and technologies and an authentic, internationally acclaimed Scots Baronial design. This will increase functionality of the building which will, in turn, become integral to the school’s operations and proud historical legacy.

The development will create a new, accessible learning and study environment delivering a number of key benefits to the school community. These comprise multiple new learning spaces, dedicated pastoral care and counselling facilities, improved academic research spaces, enhanced accessibility routes and new formal function rooms on the upper levels.

The existing Stevenson Library building will undergo major alterations and additions. Works include extensions to floor slabs, creation of an atrium void, addition of a sixth storey within the new pitched roof, complete internal fitout works, and re-cladding of the exterior. The new development will overlook the school oval and allow free flowing north-south circulation between respective buildings, something that is not currently possible within the campus.

Taylor collaborated with the client on several Value Engineering proposals and solutions. Successful concepts include the rationalisation of the minor windows to the western elevation, redesign of the parquetry flooring as well as substitution of sandstone blockwork to the plinths and surrounds of the large feature windows with masonry and render.

An important aspect of the project is maintaining the Scots Baronial design to reinforce the College’s rich history and traditions. This includes the use of traditional materials, styles and techniques of the period. Taylor worked closely with the Architect on pre-construction design to meet the vision of the project whilst maintaining the functionality and value of the building.