The talented team at Parry & Rosenthal Architects combine elegance, light and functionality to create this inspiring new trade training facility in Middle Swan.
Characterised by its solid form and red-faced-brick exterior, La Salle College's brand-new BR Fitzhardinge centre takes cues from the heritage-listed buildings on its doorstep. The project involved the design and construction of a trade-skills centre at the school's densely populated site to cater for the growing demand for vocational training in the area.
Although the materials chosen are robust, the interior receives an abundance of light and natural ventilation through the generous use of glazed screens, high ceilings and floating lantern roofs.
The planning is simple and functional, consisting of a row of wood, composite and metal workshops and machine rooms serviced by storage and delivery areas to the school boundary side and design labs and staff facilities on the school side.
A transparent glazed walkway separates the workshops from the design labs to isolate noise and dust, while maximising visual surveillance and natural lighting between the spaces.
Because the design was for a trade-skills centre, Parry & Rosenthal have tried to build into the structure, the delight the architects have for the good proportions, light, materials, and crafted construction detail found in many of the neighbouring historic buildings.
The team hopes this spirit will be transmitted through the building to inspire and encourage its occupants, whether they are learning a trade or teaching one.
PROJECT PROFILE
La Salle College Trade Skills Centre
ARCHITECT | Parry & Rosenthal Architects
Project & Design Director Michael Savage
Project Architect Geoff Chinnery
P&RA team
BUILDER | EMCO Building
BRIEF | To create a high-quality functional trade-skills centre on the edge of the existing campus, providing modern vocational training facilities for the college.
FEATURES | Workshops for woodwork, metalwork and composites, together with machine rooms, storage areas and computer design laboratories.
LOCATION | Middle Swan, WA
