Dowling Block
At St John’s College, the Dowling Block project followed the loss of a two-storey teaching and library building due to fire. The brief required a new facility that could support modern teaching methods while responding carefully to its surrounding residential context.
BSM Group Architects designed a single-storey building that combines flexible teaching spaces with a library and multi-purpose area. The layout allows for a range of class sizes, with opportunities for breakout learning and clear connections between spaces.
A simple gable and hip roof form gives the building a strong street presence while maintaining an appropriate scale. Structural efficiency was achieved through the use of a seismic ground fuse system.
The completed building provides a practical and adaptable learning environment, with clear circulation links to both the campus and the wider community.