Rohrig gives Oriel Handley Hall new lease on life
Rohrig is excited to have completed a significant transformation at Moreton Bay College in Manly West, breathing new life into the longstanding Oriel Handley Hall.
The refurbishment has modernised the underutilised building at the all-girls school, turning it into a vibrant, flexible-use hub for school assemblies, functions, and even community events.
Architecture was undertaken by Novum, who focused on optimising the facility while ensuring it harmonised with the school’s existing design aesthetic. Of course, an emphasis was also placed on honouring the building’s rich history, and the many memories it holds.
The design delivers upgraded internal facilities, including new bathrooms and a canteen servery, alongside a spacious rear covered deck extension that enhances the building’s connection to the outdoors. A standout feature of the exterior is the installation of an intricate perforated aluminium screen facade, which creates a unique visual effect as the sun illuminates the building.
What sets this project apart, however, is the story behind the build. The Rohrig team collaborated closely with the design team from the outset to carefully manage costs without compromising on quality or the architectural vision.
Value engineering was undertaken at the outset of the project in close consultation with the architect. While maintaining the original design intent, overall cost savings of approximately 20 percent were achieved.
The construction for this project started with the internal elements of the building, transforming its layout while also extending the covered deck. We then turned our attention to the facade, installing the aluminium screen features. The building also received a complete re-roof, which was met with challenging weather conditions that required careful planning to keep the project tracking on time.
“This project was a really rewarding one for our team, because we worked with the design team and client early on to manage costs and programme, which led to some really impressive savings,” said Rohrig General Manager, Alexei Avsenev.
“Delivering a project that looks this good is always exciting as it comes together, but handing it over on time and under budget, despite some adverse weather conditions at points, is what makes us most proud. Of course, like most of our school projects, this one was undertaken in a live environment so noise and site activity had to be carefully managed.”
The Oriel Handley Hall stands as a testament to Rohrig’s expertise in the education sector. Combining high-quality construction with strategic cost management, we have delivered a world-class facility that will serve the students and educators at Moreton Bay College for decades to come.