SOUTH COAST EDUCATION NETWORK - SHOALHAVEN CAMPUS

1997 - 1999

The South Coast Education Network (SCEN) was a government sponsored initiative to provide access to tertiary educational facilities for the population of the region.

The Shoalhaven Campus, located at West Nowra on a ridge overlooking the Shoalhaven Valley, was the first stage of a joint venture between the University of Wollongong, TAFE and Shoalhaven Council.

We were selected as architects for the Stage 1 development, comprising four buildings arranged in pairs either side of a central axial loggia, with connecting circulation along a curving colonnade, consistent with guidelines of a Cox Architecture master plan for the site.

The location is quintessential Australian bushland escarpment and in deference to the environment the built form  "touches the ground lightly" respecting the sensitivity of this steep sandstone terrain.

The central axial loggia provides vistas over the Shoalhaven Valley and forms the symbolic heart of the campus bounded on either side by the Library and Campus Services buildings. Beyond these, two outer buildings accommodate teaching facilities and academic office space for TAFE and UoW respectively.

As lead consultant our involvement in the project covered brief development, design, tender documentation, and construction phase services.

Photography: Sean Maguire - Already Yesterday