Mary’s Chapel

St Joseph’s College follows the Catholic tradition of Edmund Rice, born in Callan Ireland in 1972, requesting a space for liturgy and learning that can accommodate 100 people.

Edmund Rice founded a free school at a time when there was injustice and poverty and oppression in Ireland with the aim of promoting education that recognized the dignity of each individual, liberating them from ignorance of God and catholic faith, while empowering them with an education to enable them to rise out of poverty and hopelessness.

Others were drawn to him forming a Christian Brotherhood, by 1825 expanding across Ireland including Australia.

In 2007 the Christian Brothers formed Edmund Rice Education Foundation. (EREA)

Their desire was that the chapel not be religious in appearance nor ‘boxlike’; however incorporating both Christian and indigenous symbolism of the local Wathaurong people.

The siting, form and orientation had to respect neighbouring residence; turning its back on the street to provide privacy to both school and the community from the activities within.

Baldasso Cortese Architects’ response was to take inspiration from the symbolism of the Edmund Rice shield which has strong synergy with the organic nature of indigenous art with flowing lines and sinuous movement representing gatherings ‘corroboree’ and ‘Songlines’ – paths across the landscape.

The chapel is broken down into two forms embracing one another; the lower/ outer form directs people to the chapel containing support spaces; whilst the taller form contains the chapel.

The stepping in the built form reduces the scale and bulk of the building from the streets.

The main enclosed space can be used for Liturgy/mass, meditation, or daily tuition.

The larger than life pivot door can be opened single handed into the school grounds to engage with the landscape and expand the space for congregation or learning in excess of 150-200 people.

The door has been designed with multiple varied size panels; the intent is for coloured glass panels to be incorporated into the door at a later stage in a cruciform pattern.

The polished concrete floor has a custom carpet designed by an indigenous artist Vicki Clarke of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria representing the four touchstones of the Edmund Rice Foundation.

Other elements in the design include the Crucifix, Altar, and Lectern which were designed and built by former staff member Scott Ballan.

Key Products Used

The external Adbri Masonry Designer concrete blockwork was chosen for its honesty and simplicity whilst inside is lined in Atkar timber veneered acoustic panels as a singular expression.

Spotted Gum timber was used for cladding to walls, door, and screening.

Project Details

Project size – 223 m2
Completion date – 2016
Building levels – 1

Project Team

Architecture

Baldasso Cortese Architects

Baldasso Cortese is a large architectural, interior design, and master-planning practice based in Melbourne, Australia. They’re recognised for design and customer service excellence across a number of core sectors: Education (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary), Care (Aged Care, Child Care and Health Care) & Lifestyle and Community (Residential, Retail and Commercial).

www.bcarch.net

Photography

Peter Clarke

Peter is an established photographer with over 20 years’ experience in his field. Over the years, Peter has gained extensive knowledge and experience documenting the built environment, as well as natural and man-made landscapes.

His collaborative approach and strong vision has seen his unique graphic style applied to a wide range of industries including architecture, construction, mining and aviation.

Peter works with a diverse range of clients including architects, design practices, government bodies, listed companies, and publishers.

www.peterclarke.com.au