Albeus Fahey Building, Iona Presentation College Site Visit

Amidst a two-week period of rain and wild weather in Perth, on the 21^st of July, we were fortunate to have sunny blue skies for the tour of Albeus Fahey Building at Iona Senior School in Mosman Park WA, which was the outcome of an 8 year journey. 

Andrew Thomas and Chloe Summers co-MC’d the formal part of the evening which started with presentations from the architects EIW, landscape architect 4LS and educational facilitator No-Tosh. This was then followed by a discussion panel made up of the head of Senior School, Katy Moore, newly appointed principal Robyn Miller, and two students, Ruby and Minerva. 

We heard from the design team about the challenges of the site, the duration of the planning, the detailed focus on the educational philosophy and the real mindset-to-enhance attitude, by the College (lead by former Principal and Business Manager, Anne Pitos and Ian Anthony), albeit with the history, culture and presentations sisters intertwined into the outcome of the final design.

We then experienced firsthand the varieties of differing spaces, all lead by students, Ash, Imogen and Kerry.  We saw the soft furnishings, the robotics labs, the multiple levels across the site, linking the different buildings, the landscape and the presentation walk (and did I mention the views?!). The visible connection into the learning spaces…. and the views… the views! The ocean and the river! 

Refreshments and networking opportunities topped off the evening and a little Instagram photoshoot competition: Lesly Acevedo, the winning photographer, capturing students’ artwork, presentation artwork and all through the visible connection of space! Well done!

A4LE Life Member Jeff Philips provided this reflection:

“The whole visit and particularly the presentation of the project was very well conducted and having teachers and students interacting as a panel was a refreshing approach.

The description of the consultation process and brief provide a great reminder of how important it is to spend time thinking about the right questions to ask.

It is a very stimulating learning environments that clearly value the learner and are a great example of putting into practice A4LE’s belief in the positive impact that the built learning environment can have on learners and learning.

Well done team!” – Jeff Philips, A4LE Life Member

From our post-covid learnings, and our virtual Scotch Tour in 2020, the WA Chapter has been trying to connect the stories with our site tours, we want to hear from the teachers, the leadership and most importantly the students.  We want more people to have access to these learnings, and create more opportunities for all of us to grow. Thank you to Iona Presentation College and the designers for sharing your journey with us.

Thank you to the WA Chapter Sponsors: Woods Furniture, Armstrong flooring and Armstrong ceilings, Breezway, and Decor Systems

Article written by Chloe Summers.

Photograph by Andrew Thomas.