Emmanuel College Warrnambool – Edmund Rice Centre
Warrnambool, VIC
Purpose-built for Year 9 students and the 9@RICE programme, the Edmund Rice Centre features three flexible science labs, six general purpose classrooms, three breakout learning areas, food technology and materials technology labs, art and media spaces, an auditorium, and an indoor hard court spanning two storeys, with a key focus on sustainability.
Client
Emmanuel College
Warrnambool
Project Budget
$16M
Lead Consultant
Baldasso Cortese
BRT Scope of Service
Building Services
Engineering and
Sustainability from
Concept Design to
Construction Completion
Drawing upon our 15-year relationship with Emmanuel College and extensive experience with independent and Catholic school specialist facilities, we brought deep understanding of the requirements these facilities demand and what genuinely works in practice. Working across such a large campus presented complex coordination challenges, with multiple services connections requiring a thorough understanding of existing infrastructure and masterplanning considerations, and benefitting from our strong collaborative relationship with Baldasso Cortese.
Our commitment to engagement was exemplified in two full-day workshops with the school that drove an iterative design process and ensured the building would authentically serve their teaching and learning needs. We guided the College through rigorous analysis of the gas
versus electric decision, presenting comprehensive cost modelling and payback analysis for photovoltaic panels and full electrification that demonstrated both financial and environmental value, effectively translating technical complexity into clear decision-making information.
Our established local understanding and connections informed the successful design outcome, with material specifications selected for their suitability to the harsh coastal environment to ensure long-term durability. Working with contractors from the Warrnambool region, with whom we had trusting, ongoing relationships, ensured ease of delivery through familiarity of communication and mutual understanding, helping to achieve outstanding outcomes for the College community.