Mount Alvernia
College
In the 13th century Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone spent his life advocating for the natural environment. Now, almost 800 years later his lessons are as resonant as ever. We know him as St Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of flora and fauna.
 
Info
Client:
Mount Alvernia College
Location:
Land of Turrbal and Jagera peoples
Kedron
Size:
8500 m²
Status:
completed
Typology:
Education
Quotes
One of m3architecture’s most distinctive strengths has been their astute ability to understand and honour the unique charism and identity of our school community. They take the time to listen deeply, to grasp not only functional requirements but also the culture, traditions, and aspirations that make a school community what it is. This insight is then expressed through design solutions that balance profound aesthetic beauty with practical functionality - an achievement that is far from straightforward in the complex realities of operational schools.
Samantha Jensen, College Principal
For any community, consultation is crucial in having a project which will not only mirror its needs but also be accepted as meeting its needs. The sensitive way this process took place is testament to the adaptability and insight of m3architecture to our particular needs.
Dr Kerrie Tuite, College Principal
An extremely poetic and porous design response that strongly reflects the Franciscan mission. The placement of the garden, inspired by La Foresta, an Italian working garden close to Assisi, and its defining of all building edges is transformational to the school and overwhelmingly enriches the pedagogy.
AIA Awards Jury Citation
Cited
Awards:

2017 AIA National Architecture Awards: National Commendation for Sustainable Architecture – Mount Alvernia College, Anthony and La Verna Buildings

2017 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards – State Award – Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture: Mount Alvernia College, Anthony and La Verna Buildings

2017 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards – State Award – Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture: Mount Alvernia College, Anthony and La Verna Buildings

2017 AIA Queensland Architecture Awards: Regional Commendation for Educational Architecture: Mount Alvernia College, Anthony and La Verna Buildings

Mount Alvernia College is a remarkable Franciscan girl’s school in suburban Brisbane. Our Master Plan for the College proposed three significant gardens: community, gathering and recreation, with buildings conceived as integral and backdrops to landscape.
The Community Garden (La Foresta) is the main entrance to the College, offering daily experiences of gardens in bloom, beds lying fallow, native bees swarming the hive, chickens cultivating the earth…
The garden is a visible and demonstrable dedication to caring for nature. In return, nourishment is returned in abundance. The garden is used educationally, socially, emotionally and spiritually, and has become intrinsic to the life and culture of the College.
Significant functions surround and activate the garden, including Home Economics, Voc Ed and Tuckshop that harvest the produce, the College Leadership Team to be visible and accessible, and a sacred space central to all.
The buildings themselves take their earthly responsibilities very seriously, with a carbon-conscious palette of predominantly render and timber, and a commitment to no airconditioning where possible, including an exemplar suite of 16 classrooms able to be naturally lit and ventilated year round.