Lifestyle Communities Deanside is purpose-built for Australians aged 50+ who want to keep living their fullest, most connected lives well into their retirement years.
Alchemy was commissioned on a design and construct basis to build the brand new Clubhouse and its surrounds for Lifestyle Communities – designed by DKO.
The purpose-built Clubhouse features indoor and outdoor pools, spas, a steam room, a cinema, a gym, a large lounge space, games and activities rooms, as well as outdoor recreation areas and sports courts. Working alongside DKO Architecture, we executed a design concept inspired by the Australian landscape’s raw and earthy colours and textures.
The Clubhouse serves as a ‘town centre’ for the community, with DKO’s ‘in the round’ horse-shoe design structure, it takes cues from local Aboriginal artwork depicting groups gathered around a camp site and watering hole. Working in a D&C capacity gave us great opportunities to advise the client on value management and the resolution of specific detailing.
The building form aims to unite and shelter residents.
Arrival from the street presents a low scale building form, slowly rising high with extended views to the concierge and landscaped courtyard beyond. This central core creates a welcoming wayfinding experience and improved visitor flow, while amplifying vistas and daylight.
As Lifestyle Communities founder, James Kelly says, ‘you never get a second chance at a first impression.’ The Clubhouse has the absolute ‘wow’ factor – it stands proud and statuesque in the surrounding landscape.
Pascoe Vale Primary School
Architect – Kosloff Architecture
Pascoe Vale Primary School is home to a fine example of neo-classical school design, a two-story building by the Chief Architect of the Public Works Department (1922-1929), E. Evan Smith. Constructed in 1929, the school was in need of a brand-new administration building, new landscaping and complete internal modifications to accommodate modern learning.
listed by Heritage Council Victoria as significant, the works completed had to be done respecting the original school building and preserving its heritage. The Alchemy project team comprehensively re-developed, upgraded and future-proofed the current school, while carefully preserving the historic character and functionality of existing heritage spaces.
Since its construction in 1929, the original two-storey heritage listed building had undergone minimal to no refurbishment works.
The brand new building Alchemy constructed seamlessly connects to the existing heritage structure, and now houses staff and administration – continuing the existing building’s masonry style and fine brick articulation. The Alchemy project team comprehensively re-developed, upgraded and future-proofed the current school, while carefully preserving the historic character and functionality of existing heritage spaces. It was initially comprised of 12 traditionally enclosed classrooms that did not provide the flexible and adaptable 21st Century learning spaces needed to support the school’s curriculum.
Pascoe Vale Primary was the winner of the 2021 Victorian School Design Awards, Best School Project under $5M Pascoe Vale Primary and was a finalist in the Premiers Design Awards in 2021.
Early works involved installing a temporary fire exit from Level 1 and extending Building A to the west. Alchemy revised ramps and built a new lift to increase the accessibility to the building in accordance with DDA standards.
Now, there’s a more accessible entry to the school and easier connection between admin and Level 1, an internal fire staircase and new staff facilities that meet current BCA coverage.
Meanwhile, the Alchemy team also worked on the in-ground stormwater and sewer services to ensure the school’s ageing infrastructure stayed working at its best for decades to come. Outside, we re-landscaped the surrounding gardens to create a new memorial and commemorative space featuring the relocated cenotaph and memorial plaques.