Montessori International College Master Plan - Transition to a new site (2011)
Phillip Daffara has been engaged by the Montessori International College to conduct place visioning for its new Sunshine Coast Campus as well as carry out site feasibility studies for prospective sites. The place making report emphasises the need to integrate three place making influences into the strategic transition to a new site. The resultant design strategies are means to mitigate development risk as well as deliver best practice place outcomes.
These include the:
The new MIC campus aims to be a Place to which one belongs - a living place, with a clear expression of the interconnectedness of natural and built spaces. It is a Place combining historical (cultural) and scientific frameworks bound by community spirit. Read about STAGE 1 construction works and the project impacts achieved by the design leadership of Phillip Daffara. |
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Impacts
Environmental
Social:
Economic:
- Environmental site planning manages flood and bushfire risks, and uses
- less than 3% of the land for buildings and civil works;
- protects 43% of the site (9.78ha) as a habitat conservation area;
- targets 2.2ha of vegetation rehabilitation including waterway buffers;
- designates 20% of the site for the organic land laboratory; and
- employs water sensitive urban design to improve stormwater quality before entering Eudlo Creek.
- We have relocated and repurposed four buildings – saving materials and energy from Earth’s limited resources.
- We have used healthy building materials chosen for their durability, and thermal and acoustic properties. Wherever possible, the structural material also provides the tactile finished surface – reducing construction fabric and embodied energy;
- We harvest all of our own potable water and future buildings will harvest renewable energy, making us resilient.
- The adolescent community is managing a land laboratory – integrating life skills whilst keeping the land productive;
Social:
- An alternative offering of life-long learning, focussed on fulfilling the Learners’ potential through creative thinking;
- Build Community resilience through partnerships:
- Land Care
- Water watch
- Local food production
- A showcase for sustainable living; and
- Memorable design and place making
- Community partnerships with the creative industries sector to deliver the MIC Art+Place strategy.
Economic:
- 200% growth in staff (18 →36) over 10 year period
- 235% growth in students (170 →400)
- Uptake of local Cleantech products/services
- Effluent treatment
- Rainwater harvesting
- Eco-design, Energy efficient products
- PV solar and energy monitoring
- Revitalise farmland – collaborate with the Maroochy Research Station, Nambour to develop a viable agribusiness managed by MIC’s secondary students; and
- MIC is an accredited AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Training Centre - the only regional training centre in Australasia offering 3 year AMI Diplomas for Montessori Teachers and it will be the first to offer AMI Diplomas that are currently only available in the USA. As a result, MIC will provide infrastructure for economic growth in the education sector and attract visitations and expenditure on the Sunshine Coast.
- MIC has an MOU with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Education Faculty to provide an experiential training centre for Pre-service teachers.