Arches and cardboard tubes for the common spaces of an Australian school

Branch Studio Architects rethinks the collective spaces of a school in Victoria, creating a meeting place inspired by the Italian piazza.

The Italian piazza is the main reference that Branch Studio Architects used for the renovation of the administrative and shared spaces of a school in Victoria, Australia. Inspired by those unique public spaces that connect architecture, history, culture and community life, the architects designed a covered space that allows students, teachers and school staff to meet.

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Photo Peter Clarke

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Axonometric view

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Plan

Piazza dell’ufficio Common spaces designed by Branch Studio Architects, Victoria, Australia, 2018

Section

The use of cardboard tubes allows economical architectural solutions without renouncing to a sculptural and contemporary environment. The curved walls generate fluid and interconnected spaces, which have different programs: private and shared offices, meeting rooms, rest areas and meeting niches.

The urban character of Branch Studio Architects’ renovation is also given by the flooring, which with its radial design recalls those of the Italian historical centres. Other fundamental elements in defining the nature of the project are the entrance arches that connect the various rooms and the artificial lighting, whose soft light is inspired by the classic and neoclassical porticos.

Cardboard tubes allow the design of sculptural spaces with a limited budget

“Our pedagogical objective was to create a space, which reduced the visual barriers between staff and student interactions. A space where day-to-day administration practices could occur but, as the space also caters for student welfare, where students could feel comfortable meeting up with a staff member and have a chat” explain the Australian architects.

  • Piazza dell’ufficio
  • renovation
  • Victoria, Australia
  • Branch Studio Architects
  • Brad Wray, Nicholas Russo, Jax Lam
  • Perrett Simpson
  • Martin Builders
  • 275 mq
  • 2018