i4architecture

Shalom Chrsitian College

Herverys Range – Condon, 2010

SHALOM GENERALLY In 1989 a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in North Queensland proposed a holistic facility on the outskirts of Townsville, which would address the educational and social and family problems being experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the mainstream educational system. Their initial aim was to provide an environment of both mainstream and traditional education from day one in a child’s development, which would not only allow that child to proceed successfully to secondary, trades, or tertiary levels, but ultimately be able to assist communities. This aim has extended to adult education and many other related matters, including the complex social issues still present in the wider community. HEALTH & WELLBEING CENTRE This building was designed to be part of a holistic approach to the wellbeing of the students at Shalom. The Shalom community believes that they need to provide differing forms of support for the many varying students who attend the school. These are expressed in the four separate ‘wellbeing’ pavilions. 1. Religious (Chapel & Chaplain) 2. Western medicine (School nurse/Sick bay) 3. Spiritual/Cultural (Community liaison officer) 4. Social (Student counsellor) These four pavilions are separated, but remain one, under the main roofed area. This covered area offers privacy, to the students, but also allows them to feel that they are still outside and part of the environment, when waiting for services. When in use the areas between the pavilions can be opened, to create a sense of separation between the pavilions. The building is positioned between the primary and secondary school, and is a focal point of the campus near the resource centre. The building orientation makes best use of the prevailing breezes and solar orientation. There is a kink to the building, so internally when waiting for services, the space between the building frames Mt Stuart, in the distance.