m3architecture complete a castle-like boarding village in brisbane, australia

m3architecture has completed a castle-like boarding village for st. joseph’s nudgee college in brisbane, australia. inspired by the fort-like boarding school houses of england, the ‘bathersby boarding village’ aims to offer appropriate frameworks for safety, security and community building, providing a sense of physical and psychological separation from the day school.

 the design was inspired by the fort-like boarding school houses of england
all images by christopher frederick jones

st. joseph’s nudgee college is one of australia’s largest boarding schools with a capacity of 332 boys from years 5 – 12. the redevelopment of the college’s boarding village — spearheaded by m3architecture — celebrated the college’s 125th year of operation. a christian brother’s school with a strong catholic ethos, the redesign is intended to function as a home away from home, a place of security, fun and friendship.

st. joseph’s nudgee college is one of australia’s largest with a capacity of 332 boys

the building is determined by a three-to-four storey ‘castle’ wall which encloses a central private courtyard. for the first time in the school’s history, all four boarding houses are brought together under one roof. each block is segmented into separate volumes by a number of concrete buttresses, aligning with the walls and windows of the building to create a façade defined by straight lines of varying sizes and orientations. almost brutalist in presentation, the buttresses emulate medieval crenellations along the top of the structure, effectively emulating castles of yore.

the buttresses emulate medieval crenellations along the top of the structure, effectively emulating castles of yore

every student has their own room, features of which include an individual window, single bed, desk, shelving, cupboard, large lockable storage areas, task lighting, wireless internet, overhead fans and bench seating. the presentation is decidedly modern, each room marked by a black gable shaped front with a metal-bar roof, giving the impression of a house within a house. inset lighting illuminates the corridors which lead to the communal areas.

the kitchens are arranged around a single concrete island

the kitchens are arranged around a single concrete island, at which boarders can gather and sit on industrial style bar stools. bathrooms are organized around vertical gardens, providing natural air circulation and quality. elsewhere, a media room is equipped for film screenings and presentations. as well as providing housing for associated staff members, the village has a 24 hour health centre, laundry room and a fully equipped industrial kitchen.

bathrooms are organized around vertical gardens, providing natural air circulation and quality

a generous central courtyard provides ample room for congregation and recreational activity

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edited by: peter corboy | designboom