Aquinas College Administration Building

Education
ClientAquinas College
LocationSouthport, QLD
Delivery Method Construct Only — Lump Sum
COMPLETION DATE2020
Awards2021 Queensland Master Builders Award

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Tomkins delivered a new two-storey Administration Centre for Aquinas College in Southport — the oldest co-educational Catholic college on the Gold Coast. Constructed under a Construct Only contract on a live school campus, the project involved the demolition of the existing administration and classroom buildings before delivering a 2,200m² office building with three general learning areas, a first aid room, civil connection works and 3,000m² of landscaped external walkways. The completed facility provides Aquinas College with a purpose-built administration hub that reflects the school’s history, values and contemporary community — delivered on time and within budget, earning recognition at the Master Builders Queensland Awards.

The Aquinas College Administration Centre replaced ageing administration and classroom buildings with a facility that balances contemporary design with the school’s history and identity. The 5,200m² gross floor area project was completed within a 52-week programme on a continuously operating school campus, requiring close coordination with college staff to manage access, relocate pathways and schedule disruptive works during school holidays and out-of-hours periods.

A defining feature of the project is the recycled brickwork cross on the main facade. Original bricks recovered during demolition were hand-cleaned and cut on site, then set into the new dark brick wall to form the school’s cross emblem — connecting the heritage of the previous building to the new facility. Timber floor joists salvaged from the existing building were sanded, cut to length and finished on site before being installed as feature screens in the reception and common areas, reinforcing the school’s commitment to material conservation.

Structurally, the building features a curved precast concrete awning suspended solely from the structural steel roof framing. The precast panels weighed up to nine tonnes each, requiring engagement of a temporary works engineer to develop a bespoke support solution for safe installation. Elliptical terracotta-coated aluminium sun blades on the western facade provide solar control while ageing naturally, consistent with the materiality of the brick and concrete palette.

Interior spaces include a stylish reception area, modern staff offices, meeting rooms, a new boardroom, breakout zones, a staff room with contemporary appliances and three general learning areas.

“
Tomkins exceeded our expectations and delivered a first-class result — an excellent addition to our college, within our time frame and budget
Sue Kwon
Business Manager, Aquinas College
Aquinas College Admin Building illuminated brick and glass education building facade at dusk built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building brick artwork facade with feature lighting at dusk built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building curved brick and glass facade with landscaped courtyard built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building main entry with concrete portal, glazing and warm interior lighting built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building double height entry lobby with glazing, pendant lights and tiled flooring built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building cafe and breakout space with kitchenette, tables and curved ceiling detail built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building curved internal stair detail with timber handrail and white balustrade built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building admin reception desk with courtyard views and tiled flooring built by Tomkins
Aquinas College Admin Building main entry with concrete portal, timber doors and external glazing built by Tomkins

The Aquinas College Administration Centre sets a new benchmark for the Southport campus — a contemporary two-storey facility that serves the college's 1,200 students and staff while honouring the school's history through the recycled brick cross and salvaged timber screens. With 2,200m² of administration and learning space, 3,000m² of external walkways and landscaped areas, and a striking street-facing facade, the project delivers a facility the college community can be proud of for decades to come. The project was delivered on time and within the client's budget, earning a Master Builders Queensland Award for Education Facilities up to $10M.

  • Total gross floor area of 5,200m²
  • 2,200m² two-storey administration and office building
  • Three general learning areas and a first aid room
  • 3,000m² of external walkways and landscaped areas
  • Recycled brickwork cross feature hand-cleaned and cut on site from the original building
  • Salvaged floor joists repurposed as feature timber screens in the new building
  • Curved precast concrete awning panels weighing up to nine tonnes each
  • Elliptical terracotta-coated aluminium sun blades on the western facade
  • Delivered one week ahead of the contract Practical Completion date
  • Delivered within the client's budget
  • Constructed within an active school campus environment

"A complex site, a precise structural solution and a community asset the Gold Coast can use every day."

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