Winner for education on the coast
Alder Constructions has been recognised at the 2018 Master Builders Gold Coast Housing and Construction Awards, for its work on one of the city’s most immersive new learning facilities, ‘The Pod’.
The Gold Coast construction company has taken out the education facilities award for projects valued up to $10 million, for its future-focused Primary Learning Resource Centre at Coomera Anglican College.
Alder Constructions General Manager Dean Cheffers said the $4.5 million development, completed last January, had to tick ‘outside of’ several boxes to achieve its futuristic vision.
“The Pod is one of a kind, featuring extraordinary shapes, curves and voids, showcasing a 360 degree amphitheatre for virtual and augmented reality learning,” he said.
“The acoustics-led architecture amplifies a pin drop in the amphitheatre while minimising sound in breakout spaces. Features like writable walls, retractable AV and 3D printer cabinetry create a minimal and uncluttered design where the latest technology is invisibly packed away to maximise space.
“The distinctive building also features a circular room surrounded by switchable glass which turns clear to opaque at the touch of a button, and multiple learning and collaborative common spaces.”
Alder collaborated with Burling Brown Architects and Coomera Anglican College to create the sensory space which places it front and centre of future generic brands of valium learning.
“We have constructed a facility which caters to students’ needs in a rapidly changing digital landscape,” Mr Cheffers said.
“Technology should be central to all new designs today because it’s so ingrained in every aspect of life and has fundamentally altered the way we interact with the spaces around us.
“In a world where education is already starting to see virtual and augmented reality, robotics, 3D printing, laser cutting and drones as the set standard, the goal was to create a customised learning facility flexible enough to adapt to change and address current technological advances.
‘The Pod is a first for any educational facility in Australia and we are completely thrilled to win this award which recognises a future-focused vision.”
Alder’s partnership with Burling Brown Architects has seen it complete multiple leading developments like the TSS Multi-Purpose Auditorium and Sports Hall, which it also entered into the awards.
The companies have started construction on A.B. Paterson’s $13 million learning precinct which combines similar state-of-the-art features to enhance digital learning and collaboration in a technology-focused world.
Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards recognise members at the forefront of building innovation and quality craftsmanship, promoting and showcasing excellence in Queensland’s housing and construction industry.
