The Mount St Benedict Centre refurbishment and extension transformed a former nun convent into contemporary learning and administration spaces that support the College’s holistic education values, while carefully preserving the building’s heritage significance. Built to enhance staff and student experience, the project delivered modern, functional interiors within a historic setting, creating an environment that fosters learning, wellbeing and connection to the College’s Benedictine values.

Working within a live school environment and sensitive heritage context, the project required meticulous planning, sequencing and stakeholder engagement. Regular site inspections were undertaken with the heritage consultant before demolition, during construction and at completion to ensure all works remained sympathetic to the original fabric. A detailed salvage and reuse schedule guided the careful removal, storage and reinstatement of heritage elements. The works also involved complex hazardous materials management and remediation processes, which were carefully coordinated alongside heritage protection measures to ensure safety, compliance and continuity of school operations.

A key design feature was the fire stair which was clad in proprietary Brickworks Terracotta Cladding which was respectful to the existing heritage façade and colours, while introducing a modern architectural design to contrast old and new. Each level of the new fire stair aligned with the existing levels of the building to create a clean and seamless connection, improving passage and functionality throughout the building.