Baldasso Cortese is proud to have been selected to design the refurbishment upgrade of the Roy Grounds Eastern Lecture Theatre complex at La Trobe University. This is a well-known and iconic circular building on campus containing six lecture theatres, all of which now have an entirely new internal fitout to meet the specific needs of different end users.

The opening ceremony was held earlier this month at one of the newly re-fitted theatres and was well attended. Attendees included Member of Parliament for Ivanhoe, Anthony Carbines; Member of the La Trobe University Academic Board, Dr. Simon Crowe; Associate Dean (Education), Associate Professor Kay Souter; Vice-Chancellor (Curriculum and Academic Planning), Professor Tom Angelo; Richard Hansen of Hansen Yuncken; and the Baldasso Cortese team of Anthony Baldasso, Marina Potter, Dev Mistry, Nic Lymn and Neil Christensen.

According to Baldasso Cortese Senior Interior Designer, Marina Potter, “The response to the design of the six lecture theatres was very positive… with notable mentions on the quality, materials, design and administration of the project.”

“Baldasso Cortese is proud to have collaborated with one of Victoria’s top education providers… we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with La Trobe University,” added Baldasso Cortese Associate, Neil Christensen.

The official opening of the Baldasso Cortese designed Hungry Jack's Southern Cross Station restaurant took place on 29 March.
 
Sited in Southern Cross Station with views across the diesel V-Line trains and the iconic, yet gritty, roofscape, Baldasso Cortese's design explored the rawness of this urban context. The bold and partially ‘de-constructed’ form of the shopfront creates a sense of destination, before revealing a service area and a series of varied seating options, some contained and intimate, others expansive and communal. 
 
Boldness of colour is used to strengthen the brand presence.  Materials and details found in the laneways of Melbourne were used to create different zones, reinforcing a design quality that Melbourne now demands of its dining options.  Innovative interactive zones and plug-in bars enhance the users experience within the space and give a glimpse into the future directions of this quick-sale restaurant.
 
According to Baldasso Cortese Associate, Neil Christensen, "We are proud to have been given the opportunity to design the Hungry Jack's Australian flagship store for one of the country's leading restaurant brands and are pleased with the result."
 
The Baldasso Cortese team was lead by Neil Christensen, together with contract administrator, Romeo Temelkovski, and design architect, Daniel Yusko.

Baldasso Cortese is proud to have been shortlisted for the 2012 Australian Interior Design Award for Workplace Design.

The Baldasso Cortese / Silver Top Taxi relationship began more than a decade ago when the Melbourne architecture firm was selected to design the transport company's original depot in 2001 - a depot since destroyed by fire in July 2009. The brief called for a facility that was restrained yet modern.  Our solution for the architecture and interior design embraces the cultural, industrial and transport heritage of Melbourne.

The entire project was lead by Retail Partner, Murray Brassington, together with construction stage specialist Martin Gehrckens, and design team Dev Mistry and Anastasia Malishev.

According to Murray, "The building design with its dramatic external and internal graphic elements really communicates the Taxi business, and creates a strong connection between form and function."

To delve deeper into Baldasso Cortese's interior design solution for Silver Top Taxis, visit the Project page.

Baldasso Cortese has been selected as architects to design the Creative Arts, Music & Drama facility for Ivanhoe Grammar School.

The design will be a major environmental statement maximising Ecological Sustainable Design through the refurbishment of the existing Locksley House building.

The project is currently at its design stage and will be lead by Baldasso Cortese team Steven Cortese, Dev Mistry and Paul Hope.

We will keep you updated as the project evolves.

Baldasso Cortese has been working on an exciting residential development in the heart of Toorak. David Chandler sees this as an opportunity to contribute to the evolution of higher density housing in suburbs such as Toorak to provide spacious, well-appointed and secure apartments that are well connected in their local context.

The proposal is light and contemporary, developed as three towers separated by a series of fissure spaces. These fissures allow daylight and landscape to be drawn deep into the twenty luxury apartments. Roof terraces replace backyard swimming pools and allow us to sustainably implement the densification of this inner city leafy suburb.

Baldasso Cortese has been engaged to redevelop the Roy Grounds Eastern Lecture Theatre of La Trobe University. This is a well-known circular building on campus containing six lecture theatres, all of which will have an entirely new internal fitout to meet the specific needs of different end users.

Baldasso Cortese’s focus, as with every project, is to work collaboratively with the client at all stages to ensure their needs are met in terms of design, program and budget.

Construction on the Rumbalara Care Complex (Shepparton North, Ford Rd site) has been progressing well and will soon be serving the indigenous community of the Goulburn Valley.

According to Design Director Steven Cortese, “One of the guiding principles of the project was to use the funding provided to benefit as many indigenous people in terms of employment, particularly in creating employment structures for those that are underemployed/and or unemployed in the Shepparton area.”

“The result has been the culmination of one of the largest indigenous employment initiatives undertaken in Australia… something Baldasso Cortese is very proud to have been a part of.”

Baldasso Cortese Associate, Neil Christensen adds, “The distinctive facilities, when completed, will be integral to the provision of quality low and high care services to the Aboriginal community. Construction of the Activity Centre and the initial 19 Independent Living Units has been completed with the Elder Care Facility to be completed in early 2012.”

Baldasso Cortese believes strongly in investing in our team and is proud to have again participated in Reach Your Pinnacle's 32 Hour Challenge. The program draws on Reach Your Pinnacle’s 25 year experience in facilitating high impact team development and leadership programs, and have designed the 32 Hour event to challenge, exhilarate and equip participants to deal with whatever the future may bring both in and outside of the workplace.

Held for the third year at Trinity College, Melbourne University, this year's team included David Choate, Sarah O'Leary, Romeo Temelkovski, Lauren Macer and Daniel Yusko.

According to Sarah O’Leary, “One thing I took away from the 32 Hour Challenge was to always Plan, Prepare and then Action. The event highlights your strengths and how you work as an individual as well as how you fit into a team. It was a long 32 hours but very beneficial and fun!”

As for Interior Designer Lauren Macer, the Challenge presented an opportunity for her to get to know her new colleagues a bit better.

“As I am fairly new at BC, it was great to get to know the others a little more and face certain challenges that forced me to step outside my comfort zone. I think the main thing I got out of it was to implement ‘situational leadership’ to encourage someone with strength in a certain area to step up.”

The Challenge has changed the way Daniel Yusko approaches tasks.

“Through the 32 hours, our approach changed from a reactive chaos to an analytical, considered and albeit more relaxing way to approaching and completing tasks,” explains Daniel.

Baldasso Cortese looks forward to next year’s event.

As part of Baldasso Cortese’s annual Planting Day on 8 December, the entire team donated their time in assisting with planting and landscape works to the surroundings of the Baldasso Cortese designed Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative (RAC) Health Clinic at Mooroopna and the Rural Housing Network Ltd (RHNL) Independent Living Units at the Rumbalara Care Complex in Shepparton North.

The day began at Mooroopna, the Rumbalara spiritual home, with an introduction to the history of Rumbalara conducted by the Yorta Yorta elder, Leon Saunders, followed by a brief tour of the completed health clinic building, before the planting commenced.

Also in attendance on the day was RAC CEO, Felicia Dean and RAC Infrastructure and Operations Manager, Mick Buckworth.

According to Nic Lymn, Baldasso Cortese project architect and organiser for the day, “We picked a hot day, however our team were in good spirits and have made a fantastic contribution”.

Baldasso Cortese associate, Neil Christensen, has been leading the team on the RAC and RHNL projects and stressed the importance and significance of the initiative.

“It is important for our team to learn and understand indigenous culture and to give back where possible. We were honoured to be able to contribute today.”

Since the appointment of Baldasso Cortese in 2007 to provide a master plan for Our Lady of the Southern Cross Primary School in Wyndham Vale, construction of the various stages has progressed well. To date, two learning areas, an administration and home economics building, and a multi purpose hall sports facility have been designed, constructed and completed.

The Baldasso Cortese team was privileged to attend the official opening ceremony of Stage 2 Administration and Home Economics building, where guests also performed a walk-through of the now completed and occupied Stage 4 Learning Area.

The ceremony was hosted by St Andrew’s Parish Priest, Fr. Frank Buhagiar and Our Lady of the Southern Cross Principal, Jennifer Poon with performances by the school choir and readings by students and members of the school community. Notable guests included Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen; and Manager of the Catholic Education Office (CEO) Western Regional Office, John Mills. Present among the guests were Baldasso Cortese Managing Director, Anthony Baldasso; Design Director, Steven Cortese; and Project Architect, David Choate.

According to David, “The feedback from guests was positive, with many commenting on the colours, openness, acoustics and quality of design.”

Our Lady of the Southern Cross has experienced large increases in its enrolment and it is anticipated that work will soon need to commence on Stage 5: Learning Area 3. Upon completion the school will represent a breakthrough in primary school design. It directly addresses the pedagogical approach to student centred learning by providing a rich mix of specialist areas together with free flowing flexible learning spaces. Stay tuned to Baldasso Cortese News for further developments on the project.

Baldasso Cortese has begun work on a design solution for Ashwood College following a devastating fire that destroyed some key school facilities in mid 2010.

The master plan, completed at the end of 2010, took the opportunity to completely re-evaluate the school’s educational direction. This has resulted in a design which will totally rebuild the school in line with current pedagogical practice and provide a new entrance and face to the community.

It will be based around three Learning Communities, all having access to information technologies, resources and a range of different types of indoor and outdoor learning areas and Specialist facilities which will build on the school’s impressive environmental programs.

Melbourne is a city known for its landmark buildings, its rectangular grid, and its lazy Yarra. Some buildings such as the Shrine of Remembrance and Flinders Street Station have significant history, some such as Federation Square are of more recent, and many simply mark an important location. Either way they have a connection with the people of Melbourne, marking major intersections as meeting places.

The corner of Flinders and Elizabeth Streets is one such gateway intersection, syphoning the daily commuters between the city and the railway. The building that marks this corner is familiar as the former headquarters of the Commonwealth Bank. Dating from 1967, it represented the height of modernism with its strong tower-and-base form, geometric façades and innovative (for the time) precast concrete.

Baldasso Cortese has undertaken significant refurbishment works to this building in recent years, with facades upgraded and retail areas transformed, and the building now has a new lease on life.

Now we have been engaged to design a second office tower atop the three storey podium. This new office building is a significant addition to the area – a contemporary form with strong environmental credentials, containing seven floors of office suites in functional stripped-back interiors.

The Baldasso Cortese team of Steven Cortese, Murray Brassington and Dev Mistry has developed a striking architectural concept which now has council approval to proceed to construction in 2011.

Read about our previous upgrade to Riverview House here.

The appointment of Baldasso Cortese at the end of 2010, to prepare a new Master Plan for Billanook College, marked a significant achievement for the firm – a continuous association with the College over its 33 year history.

Reflecting on the original Master Plan developed for the College in 1978, Hal Cutting recalls the enthusiasm in establishing this new private school for 500 students in the outer east of Melbourne.

"We are as excited by this new master plan as we were back then."

The challenges however are very different. We now have an established school with an established culture which has grown to 900 students using new technologies.

This is very different from designing a school on a ‘geenfield’ site prior to the introduction and influence of computers. Some commonalities exist however. The appreciation and respect for the natural environment in which the College is set. The ‘bush’ setting is a major asset, with the banks of the Brushy Creek running across the site having been developed as important gathering and meeting places. Direct access to the outdoor environment is a high priority today as it was in the late 70’s.

The most significant difference however is in the nature of teaching and learning.

For the students of today to have the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century, we need to embrace technology and provide a variety of different types of spaces that allow a more collaborative approach to learning.

We also need buildings that move away from the traditional classroom model, have an abundance of natural light and are energy efficient.

This is an exciting time for Billanook College in its transition to new methods of teaching and learning and for Baldasso Cortese to develop outstanding designs for the 21st century.

Moved by the plight of those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires, the entire team at Baldasso Cortese donated their time on September 24 in assisting with the landscaping for the Strathewen Primary School – one of the three schools completely destroyed by the 2009 bushfires.

Armed with wheelbarrows, boots, gloves and picks, it was to be an entire day of breaking dried clay, moving soil, mulch and plants for the surrounds of the newly rebuilt Baldasso Cortese designed school.

In attendance was Strathewen Primary School Principal, Jane Hayward, as well as volunteers from Landcare, ANZ Bank and Melbourne Water. Landscape Architect, Lindsay Fraser of Land Design Partnership was also on hand to talk volunteers through the design and landscape requirements.

Baldasso Cortese Associate Manager, Ben Twite admits that the entire team worked very hard on the day. “Most people woke up the next day with sore backs and blisters, but it goes without saying that we all thought it was definitely a worthwhile cause,” says Ben. “It also gave us an opportunity to see a different side of the people we work with everyday.”

“And above all, we had fun!”

“The feedback from the school community was positive with many surprised that we got through the amount of work that we did on the day.”

There are currently 35 students enrolled at Strathewen Primary School – all of whom have been housed at the nearby Wattle Glen Primary School since the beginning of the rebuild. Students officially started the 4th semester in their new building on October 4.
 
For further details on our design solution for Strathewen Primary School, please see Strathewen Primary School Meets New Building Standard.