In 2011 Mt Alvernia College commissioned m3architecture to undertake a master plan ahead of the construction of new facilities.
The master plan proposed a school based around 3 gardens; a community garden, a garden for gathering and a recreation garden. This approach recognised St Francis’ preoccupation with the natural world, and the importance of the relationship between humankind and nature.
This has resulted in an architectural approach focussed on gardens and resident fauna, with broad ranging implications that strengthen many of the ethical, spiritual and social agendas of the school.
The community garden has redefined the entrance to the school. It is a substantial productive garden, inspired by ‘La Forresta’, a place of work, beauty and nourishment. Importantly, it is also a place of learning, flanked by science labs, home economics spaces and GLA’s. A large proportion of the curriculum is intended to be based around the garden and the education it can offer.
A new social space, cafeteria and commercial kitchen have northern access to the garden, and a new wing of administration flanks the east edge of the garden, accommodating the College Leadership Team at ground level, with offices opening into a grove of olive trees.
In total, the project comprised, 20 classrooms, 6 laboratories, 3 home economics spaces, commercial kitchen and cafeteria, administration, a prayer space, and a roof terrace and the community garden.
The buildings themselves form the space of the garden, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship between inside and outside spaces.
Leading the way...
Robyn Cook has worked as an Education Officer for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation* for the past four years. As a member of the Foundation’s training team Robyn has helped train around 800 teachers, Principals and parents in schools around Australia to deliver the Kitchen Garden Program – providing pleasurable food education to Australian primary school children.
*The Kitchen Garden Foundation aims to make pleasurable food education available to all Australian schools through the innovative Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, now running in over 800 schools, and as of March 2015 through the Kitchen Garden Classroom membership service, now available to all early learning centres, primary and secondary schools, as well as government and community organisations. Please see kitchengardenfoundation.org.au for more information.
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