Sacred Heart Girls' School, Oakleigh

Description

The large cream-coloured façade acts as the solid feature to the flow to the Warrigal Rd traffic, which also blends into the fabric of the adjacent brick domestic housing. A pattern of rectangular opaque coloured glazing (which alludes to medieval precedent) is embedded into the brick façade which act as soft light walls for the interior classrooms, which help complement the solid steel structure exposed on both exterior and interior. Above the wall are timber slats which line the under-side of the ceiling on the exterior. The steel structures are notably evident primarily in the courtyard; pilotis which support sections of the first level thus allowing more space and movement below. These columns create a sense of internal colonnade within the space. The square plan provides many spatial and environmental qualities to the building; a 360° view of adjacent classrooms, a divide between the noise of the constant traffic on Warrigal Rd and the students within in attempt to establish quietness and seclusion, and allowing sun and air to enter through the void which circulates into the classrooms. The two rows of small rectangular windows on the first floor also allow for such circulation, which are precedent of early Renaissance Florentine palazzo, a building form that Romberg admired. The square plan not only echoes in the fenestration, but also in the checked pattern on the courtyard pavement. The initial design of five classrooms in the building was allocated at the first floor (which was to accommodate for only 150 students).

Key influences and design approach

There is contention over the origins of Romberg’s inspiration for the plan of Sacred Heart. Geometric formalism was rife during the 1950s. Romberg’s student work demonstrates an early partiality for geometric form. During his partnership with Grounds this interest was intensified. Sacred Heart can be seen as a development of the Grounds Hill St. house. Where Grounds simplified the architectural form thus reducing its meaning Romberg focused on instilling an intense connection with the past through form and materiality. The building establishes Romberg’s curiosity in medieval and classical form which is further developed in his later institutional architecture.

Alterations

The school has gone through many changes and redevelopment from its initial build in 1957. Suffering a fire in 1982 and expansion, the need to join class to Salesian College was needed. In 1983, the students would return to the school with running classrooms and a familiar schooling environment. A redevelopment of the master plan for the school was conducted in 1998 to accommodate for the expanding number of student enrollments. As new buildings were added, new facilities followed. The Romberg building (known as the “Boyd” building within the school community) has also followed the alterations. The courtyard space has been overlaid and shelters a fitness space for students whilst the upper floor classrooms remain as functional classrooms for such curriculum such as arts and music. A set of stairs which was initially located in the courtyard have been relocated to the west of the exterior of the Romberg building, still allowing for access to the upper level. The cream brick wall and opaque coloured windows remain as the solid icon of the school on the main street frontage, supported by a cross which highlights the school's religious background.

The building went under construction in late 2013 early 2014, and now has a fully functioning dance studio and viewing room with a stage on the bottom level and a series of music rooms on the second level.