Designed by architect Emil Sodersten and constructed in 1928 as the Gwydir Flats, the three-storey Wilkinson House is one of Sodersten’s earliest residential flat buildings. It’s a fine example of the Inter-War Georgian and Mediterranean Revival styles. Purchased by SCEGGS in 1960, the building was converted to a boarding house for its students. With the greater need for learning facilities on a relatively small school campus, the building was converted to a learning centre in 1980. The building is no longer able to meet the needs of the school. The design strategy focuses on designing large bright classrooms with generous circulation routed and support facilities.
Expand ContentOur approach involves a light touch for the external façade and key heritage areas including the original foyer. The main reception at ground level has wide structural openings into the heritage fabric to create a spacious and functional collection of suites. White walls are complemented by dark oak chevron flooring and contemporary joinery. Simplicity and attention to detail creates a calm atmosphere that makes the different uses and character of each level feel connected, like siblings in a family.
The design reconstructs the full interior including new concrete slabs that will make the building more robust. Externally the modifications include a new pressed copper brise-soleil roof and a steel framed glass core to the south, which houses a new lift and provides a clear circulation link to the main campus. The new roof, built in the same form as the original, takes its inspiration from the original drawings of Sodersten that show vertical seams on the roof cladding. Internally, the terrazzo stairs and floors in the central zone reference the original stair and lightwell, while the ceiling lights and floor details in each classroom trace the outlines of the original walls. At lower ground level, a new floor is proposed to link Wilkinson House to the Centenary Sports Hall to the south, providing additional learning space for physical education activities.
A new generous 4m wide central stair is located within the existing lightwell. Top and side lit, this establishes a clear circulation spine through the building.
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