The Infinity Building / MCR Architecture

By: Lidija Grozdanic | August - 23 - 2011

Pegs Senior is designed by award-winning Melbourne architects McBride Charles Ryan (MCR). The project is to provide a new Year 11&12 Senior Campus for the school and become the new VCE Precinct at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in Melbourne.
The layout is based on an ‘infinity symbol’, a shape that allows the facility to be structured around two protected courtyards. This in turn enhances the learning spaces access to light, view and ventilation. At the heart of the infinity has been located the library and student learning center. Specialist precincts, Art, Science, Cafe and huge variety of learning spaces are distributed throughout the form. Each precinct has its own unique quality and yet they are seamlessly connected to the next. The building is an embodiment of the journey of education, and the crossover between disciplines. This planning allows the buildings circulation to constantly return to the library at its heart and in this way it physically echoes the educational ethos of the school.
The building commenced construction in September 2010, with completion due late 2011. The process has so far revealed numerous engineering and construction challenges, as a result of the building’s innovative design concept. International consultant engineers, ARUP Partners, were engaged by the client to ensure that the challenges were met and bested.