The College was founded in 1937 at the direct wish of His Grace, Archbishop James Duhig, and the Society of the Sacred Heart – a religious order founded in France in 1800 – appointed to take responsibility for this first university college for Catholic Women in Queensland. The foundation buildings of the college at its present site in St Lucia within the University of Queensland, were designed by Hennessy and Hennessy (architects of the University’s Great Court) in 1957 and sit on a knoll overlooking both the lakes of the University and the Brisbane River. Subsequent building additions formalised a series of landscaped courtyards as private social spaces and peaceful outlooks for the residents.
This central focus on external gathering spaces nurtures the College’s mission for an inclusive, community environment. The existing natural garden setting promotes their values of awareness and appreciation for the natural environment.
The refurbished admin area builds upon these ideas, with the breakout space being conceived of as an internal courtyard. This provides a dedicated central gathering space for staff and their visitors, with a garden setting as the focus. Being an environment familiar to Duchesne residents, the concept of an internal ‘courtyard’ is approachable, welcoming and inclusive.
In line with the values of the Society of the Sacred Heart, education is a lifelong process of growth and transformation. The architecture of the admin area aims to give visitors and residents an insight into what the college stands for; leadership, culture, and sustainability, by providing a space that supports the leadership and administration team in enacting these principles through their staff culture and everyday work life.
