Ivanhoe Grammar School – Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre

The Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre was developed to address the need for a purpose-built facility promoting physical health, mental well-being and holistic development for students and the broader school community. The design challenge involved integrating high-performance aquatic, fitness and learning spaces within the existing campus fabric, constrained site area (east and west), limited access to natural light and a conservative project budget. The project also needed to honour the cultural heritage of the site, reflected in its Woi-wurrung name, and meet ambitious sustainability targets. Navigating these priorities while delivering a flexible and future-focused environment required close collaboration with the client.

The design solution for the Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre focused on creating a cohesive, multi-functional environment that integrates aquatic, wellness and learning spaces within the existing school campus. Early consultation with stakeholders ensured the brief was deeply understood and culturally respectful. Key design decisions included positioning the pools for optimal solar orientation and embedding flexible learning hubs throughout. Roadblocks such as spatial constraints and environmental targets were addressed through smart planning and sustainable technologies. The outcome is a highly functional, inclusive and culturally grounded facility that supports physical and mental well-being while enriching educational and community engagement.

The Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre delivers strong commercial, environmental and social impact. It enhances the school’s facilities, strengthening its community standing and enrolment appeal, by offering learn to swim and competition swimming amenities to the school’s cohort and the surrounding community outside of school hours with a dedicated public learn to swim school. Environmentally, it incorporates solar energy, rainwater harvesting and efficient systems to reduce its operational footprint. Socially, it promotes health, inclusion and cultural respect through accessible, wellness-focused spaces that serve both students and the wider community.

Key features of the Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre include two state-of-the-art swimming pools designed for both learning and competition, four flexible learning hubs that support integrated education and wellness programs, and dedicated fitness and mindfulness spaces. The centre is embedded with sustainable design elements such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, a specialised vapour barrier membrane and stringent airtightness standards. Careful site integration ensures seamless connection with the existing teaching facilities, conservation of established indigenous trees and new outdoor sporting fields, while the design pays tribute to the Wurundjeri people through its name, cultural references, sustainable building material palette and connection to landscape and country. The result is a dynamic, inclusive facility that supports physical, mental and cultural well-being.