2 November 2018

The Food Technology Centre at Kolbe Catholic College, Greenvale Lakes, has been awarded Best New Individual Facility at the Learning Environments Australasia Victorian Awards 2018.

Designed by Smith+Tracey Architects, the Centre was recognised by leading designers and educationalists as a building that challenges the traditional practice of focusing on teacher demonstration and promotes student discovery, investigation and problem-solving. The whole approach to the Centre’s design is both simple and effective and provides students with a sense of ‘real life’ learning, which has the potential to significantly enhance the learning opportunities for students both within and beyond school.

The jury citation identified a comprehensive planning process had provided real ownership to the college community. The process was clearly collaborative and engaging, with the architects exhibiting a genuine willingness to listen to and understand the vision and strategic intent of the community, thus aligning the design to the college’s educational philosophy. The design outcome is contemporary and creative with high-quality finishes. It reflects a professional kitchen environment where students can experience life in the food industry, which will be beneficial to supporting the development of authentic career pathways.

The spatial planning provides excellent flexibility of use for practical and theoretical learning activities to enable both individual and collaborative learning. The integration and connectivity between indoor spaces and outdoor areas achieve light, bright and adaptive possibilities with exciting, durable and functional finishes. External raised planters provide students with the opportunity to experience the complete journey of food: grow, prepare and present.

The building is located to place food at the social ‘heart’ of the college community, with the café-style canteen activating the central student hub, while fulfilling its primary purpose as a centre of excellence for food technology.

Smith+Tracey Architects has continued to develop a long-term relationship with the college since 2009 and is proud to be associated with the successful learning environments collaboratively delivered with the college.