Hogan Building Precinct

The Hogan Deck at St Laurence’s College started from the College’s desire to provide more covered spaces during break times. Macksey Rush’s response was to firstly address this fundamental requirement of shade, but also to provide a mix of opportunities for play, break, gathering, outdoor learning and function space for the College. While maximising covered space remained the core objective, the complex site conditions and budget restraints created a variety of problem-solving opportunities during design and construction phases.

The design carefully balances the challenges and opportunities of working within the surrounding context. Including the adjacent heritage building and respective public sight lines, retaining significant vegetation, providing access and connecting multiple building levels, and framing of iconic views of Highgate Hill, Torbrek and Mt Cootha. With the site orientated to the northwest, extensive sun studies and form making exercises were undertaken to explore the built outcome possibilities while maximising shade for the users.

The site for the project is split across two distinct surface conditions. The first: a suspended post-tensioned slab, acts as a forecourt to the adjacent performing arts theatre. The second: a large, dilapidated timber deck situated on a sloped embankment, sits above a rock anchored wall. Both scenarios presented challenges, particularly in foundation design, which the design team were able to overcome.

The result is a robust space, that has created a variety of spatial zones, from smaller group zones suitable for senior students’ lunch, to play zones for middle years students, and larger gathering spaces for full house gatherings or school functions. The structures provide deep shade during summer, while in winter they allow warming winter sun into the amphitheatre spaces.  The minimalist materials palette allows the surrounding heritage buildings and views to take visual hierarchy and provide a base for the future beautification projects for the school.