
The Project
St Peter’s College was founded as an independent school in 1847 and the ‘Big Quad’ precinct was constructed in 1918 as the heart of St Peter’s College, directing the flow from its historic Chapel and Memorial Hall to the main senior school campus.
The Big Quad redevelopment aimed to continue the tradition of furthering students' potential by creating carefully crafted spaces to deal with contemporary teaching methods that remain true to the school’s lasting heritage.
The ‘Big Quad South’ building has gone from a single-storey stone building to a two-storey contemporary learning space whilst maintaining its historic heritage.
Technical Solutions
The ‘Big Quad South’ building was originally constructed using stone walls 500mm thick, which supported timber trusses forming the pitched roof. Due to its historic significance, the existing stone perimeter wall needed to be maintained, leaving very restricted opportunities for columns, and bracing to be located. All internal walls also needed to be demolished whilst being careful not to damage the outer wall.
Being divided into three sections, the central section, east section and west section, for the structural design. Each section needed its own independent lateral stability system. WGA’s solution for the central section was to create three pairs of portal frames that aligned with sections of solid walls. Structural steel allowed the same formation as the original timber roof to be produced without the horizontal tie, allowing the architect to locate a ceiling on the underside of the rafters.
Client Outcomes
The original walls are now restrained by the new steel frame with a new steel lateral stability. Everything within the redevelopment was designed to current seismic design standards. When it reaches its serviceable life, the structure can be deconstructed by unbolting, and Australian steel can be recycled.
Point cloud surveys and 3D models produced in Revit ensured the structural frame was fabricated and ready for erection before the footings began. As soon as footings were completed the complete framework was erected without stopping for other trades, and mobile crane time on site was also reduced.
The client has a modern two-storey learning which sits within the heritage façade of a single-storey building and enhances the important Big Quad Precinct.
This project was the 2022 ASI 2022 Steel Excellence SA State Winner for Buildings, Large projects
The St Peter's Big Quad Rejuvenation is included in the following sectors & services.
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