Northrop

'Spiritus' is Loreto Kirribilli's new 7-storey Innovation Centre, incorporating a range of dynamic, versatile learning spaces and studios to support the growing STEM needs for the school's year 7-12 cohort. Loreto's Kirribilli campus has grown on the site over the past 200 years, and now consists of many buildings of varying construction materials and scales supporting the junior and high school requirements.

Excavated into a steeply sloping site, the new Centre interfaces with three adjacent buildings, providing better connectivity through the campus. The development also took the opportunity to improve the functionality of the existing gymnasium and junior school buildings.

Key structural challenges included the additional structural components which connected the new building with the adjacent existing buildings, as well as the complex excavation and ground conditions.

Working with complex site conditions and existing buildings, we took a practical approach to risk management, working closely with the geotechnical and construction teams to adjust our design as required on site. We ended up using a significant amount of the existing structure to support new loads, undertaking testing and analysis to minimise structural strengthening required. The result is a clever integration of existing and new, with minimal structural redundancy. 

Northrop also provided sustainability consulting services on the project, which was front of mind for the whole project. The key project initiatives included adopting a high-performance façade with a metal mesh interlayer, giving the building its distinctive bronze colour whilst also limiting light and heat transmission. The walkway design and interfaces between the new and existing buildings also encourage windows and doors to be left open, naturally ventilating the space for most of the year. This was achieved through collaboration with sustainability, mechanical and architectural design teams.

For information about this project, contact Isabel Duffy - Principal | Business Development Manager | Structural Engineer on 02 9241 4188. 

Read more about how we delivered the technical challenges of this project here. 

All images via Richard Crookes Constructions.