Footscray Nicholson Learning Commons

This project dramatically re-energises a 1980s brick and concrete public works building, slicing a double height pedestrian ‘laneway’ through the fabric. The concept harks back to classic Melbourne laneways, with multiple forms of activation including a library, computer pit, cafeteria, careers and student support services. The dynamic derived from the interaction between retained parts of a gridded waffle slab structure and organic insertions, augmented by skylight insertions and undulating soffits.