THE IDEA

With two new hospitals opening up in Bendigo, a state-of-the-art training facility was needed to support the region’s growing health industry. Our objective was to create a vibrant, community-focused, centre of excellence for Bendigo TAFE that would help to generate a skilled local workforce and attract quality educators.

“Our vision was to transform the campus into an active, vibrant place that prioritises the learner and creates an open and welcoming street interface for the Bendigo community.”

Justin Littlefield, Partner and Architect, ClarkeHopkinsClarke

THE SOLUTION

To transform a tired and lightless, red-brick building, on the key corner location in Bendigo,  into a modern, open and highly functional Health and Community Centre of Excellence (HACCOE).

The new centre features a sculptural ‘community ribbon’ wrapped around the building, and beautifully landscaped outdoor areas for staff, students and the broader community to enjoy.

Utilising biophilic design principals, the contemporary glass façade and new entrances have opened up the campus to the community, providing a transparent, engaging interface with the street that celebrates the activity and learning within, and provides an abundance of natural light to aid productivity and wellbeing for students and teachers.

An active and vibrant space, students have access to agile learning spaces that encourage collaboration, break-out and private study.

A ‘cellular’ theme was adopted throughout the interiors. It is expressed through spatial planning, design details and wayfinding signage. In particular, smaller pods work individually as well as in a collective, angled walls with chamfered edges lead you through the spaces and colour blocked break out spaces provide inspiration for secondary learning.

“It's a busy, thriving centre and a great place to study and work.”

Trevor Schwenke, CEO, Bendigo TAFE

THE IMPACT

The Bendigo TAFE HACCOE has been purpose-built to meet the needs of the growing local health industry. With an emphasis on practical training, the centre boasts purpose-built workplace-simulated training facilities incorporating the latest industry-standard training equipment, to recreate environments and situations faced in nursing, health support services, aged care, home care, pathology, and early childhood education and care.

Two new hospitals within Bendigo will now be able to draw from a highly skilled and local workforce. The community hub area within the entry of the building has been designed to allow for a range of activities including presentations, trade exhibitions and events. This space enhances further community connections through professional partnerships.

In late 2018, the building was invited to be part of the first Open House Bendigo Program. Hundreds of locals, industry professionals and architecture enthusiasts were taken on a tour of the facility.