Rohrig brings Ormiston College’s Centre for Learning and Innovation back from the ashes
Back in 2018, Rohrig delivered the award-winning Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI) at Ormiston College in the Redland region of Queensland. Six years later, following a fire that destroyed the building’s interior, Rohrig was the trusted partner the College turned to.
The Rohrig team is proud to have worked with the College for more than 30 years, and when news came of the fire we mobilised immediately to make the site safe and lead recovery works. After assessing the damage, the College seized the opportunity to optimise the layout for the future.
Our unique Design and Construct capabilities allowed us to quickly move from safety works to construction, utilising in-house design management and drafting services. Our D&C service also allows us to facilitate workshops to confirm changes, document them and simultaneously work on approvals. The Rohrig team engaged Tom Mark Henry to handle the interior design for this project, building on the original concept by BSPN Architecture with stunning colours, textures and features throughout.
The result is an inspiring learning environment featuring expanded STEM facilities and a greater number of ‘incubator’ learning pods. A standout feature for the students is a new ‘secret tunnel’ that connects the Junior Learning space to the library.
“As the heart of our campus, the Centre for Learning and Innovation holds deep significance for our College community. Losing it to the fire was devastating, but its transformation has brought renewed energy and hope. Rohrig has rebuilt the space with care and diligence, creating an inspiring environment that reflects our vision for future‑focused learning. We extend our sincere thanks to the Rohrig team for their exceptional responsiveness and support throughout this challenging journey,” said Michael Hornby, Headmaster and CEO, Ormiston College.
Constructing in the heart of the campus required meticulous safety management. The site shared a pathway with student amenities, so the Rohrig team implemented strict protocols, including using spotters to assist students and teachers whenever site gates were opened.
“I was onsite within hours of the fire to support the College and get the right people in place to secure the building. From there, we worked closely with the College to move quickly and keep the project progressing. As the opportunity to redesign emerged, we took a leading role in guiding the process, working with stakeholders to maintain momentum and deliver a better outcome for students and teachers,” said Shane Stoddart, National Design Manager, Rohrig.
“The opportunity to revisit a project like this so early in the building’s life is rare. We’re proud to have led a process that enabled the College to build on what was already an impressive facility and introduce new elements that create a genuine sense of excitement for end users.”
The rebuilt CLI honours its history with a recreated artwork of the school’s founding in 1988, while providing a future-focused environment that is better than ever. Rohrig is proud to have helped Ormiston College turn a crisis into a new chapter of innovation.