Watson Masterplan

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This development addresses the current shortage of accommodation for school groups visiting Canberra by creating accommodation capable of housing over 300 students. The development seeks to engage users with sustainable architecture, in doing so enhancing the education of students visiting the nation’s capital.

A central open space incorporating educational wetlands, a swimming pool, a walking trail and multi-functional sporting courts is designed as the internalised focal point of the facility. A series of accommodation blocks radially surround and address this centralised hub of enjoyment and learning.

Accommodation blocks are a modern expression of vernacular Australian architecture in both form and materiality. Skillion roofs create a high raked ceiling to the central common area of each unit allowing for passive cooling through operable high windows. A covered deck at the front of each unit addresses the central open space. The materiality of these buildings consists of corrugated metal, Australian hardwood and exposed aggregate precast concrete. Three budget hotel blocks located to the South East of the site and are expressed in a similar architectural language.

Environmentally sustainable design principals are incorporated throughout the development including rain harvesting and grey water management facilitated by the artificial wetlands, the incorporation of a solar façade to the main reception building and passive cooling in all units. Turco and Associates worked closely with environmental consultants throughout the design process to achieve fully integrated sustainable design solutions.