The Padua College Whyte Senior Learning Centre is the first project realised of the 2016 Padua College Mornington Campus masterplan, and one of two senior learning centres that will eventually be developed on campus. This development was transformative, being the first to target consolidation of a dispersed campus, moving it from small, disparate classrooms to an integrated, contemporary, multi-storey facility.

The 3-storey building is entered on grade at two levels, taking advantage of a steep slope across the site. It also links back to the Administration via a bridge on the middle floor.

The external sunscreen embodies arched gestures inspired by the bridges found in Padua, and the notion of students preparing to cross educational and vocational “bridges” from secondary school into tertiary education, alternate careers and learning pathways. It is also the backdrop for the school’s values to be read in the graphics applied to the building perimeter.

All levels are connected internally through a central atrium space, which can seat 100-120 people for presentations or assemblies on tiered platforms. There are 18 classrooms and a dedicated assessment room located around the perimeter to support the directive learning needs, and centrally located breakout and collaborative spaces for supplementary self-directed, reflective and collaborative study.

A 270-seat lecture theatre is embedded on the lower level, and a variety of flexible learning spaces, seminar and meeting rooms, breakout, social and ancillary spaces, and staff work areas are dispersed throughout the building.

Student kitchenettes are provided on the middle and upper levels functioning as senior common rooms. Clear visibility into all these spaces was key for passive supervision, security and accountability.

Outdoor learning spaces function on all levels including multiple courtyards and balconies.