The 501 Ann Street refurbishment for All Hallows’ School reimagines Brisbane City’s much-loved Credit Union Australia building, originally constructed in 1942 for Queensland Brewing Company Ltd and designed by G. H. M. Addison and Son & H. S. Macdonald.
Deicke Richards is overseeing the simultaneous design and delivery of three connected components: the adaptive reuse of Callaghan Place, the conversion of a former childcare centre and car park within the School’s Dodge Lane Precinct into a new examination centre, which has been named the Scholar’s Centre, and the creation of a pedestrian bridge linking the two sites, which has been named Jagera Walk. Together, these interventions will form a cohesive architectural response to the school’s evolving needs, balancing functionality, flexibility, and heritage conservation.
The project has required a layered understanding of context and constraint. The heritage-listed Callaghan Place remained partially occupied as offices during early design stages, requiring careful sequencing and a nuanced approach to construction planning. When complete, it will offer 16 new general learning areas, 2 new flexible learning areas and one maker space with 3D printers and laser cutters for high-school year groups, along with dedicated staff spaces and amenities.
Deicke Richards employed a staged approach to the construction works, by separating the demolition contract from the main build contract. This enabled conditions undiscoverable until demolition of the contemporary office fit out works to be captured in documentation for the main build by the consultant team and the extent of remediation work to the original building fabric to be understood and scoped. Detailed 3D scanning of the building before and after demolition allowed the intricacies of the existing fabric to be captured, along with precise coordination of new structure and services. The 3D scans became an important tool for dialogue between Deicke Richards and the rest of the subconsultant team, allowing decisions to be made with clarity and care.
Across Dodge Lane, the new examination centre reclaims an underused car park and former childcare centre as an educational space. As well as storage and a dedicated staff space and amenitites, the centre will house a large exam room for 225 students, an inclusive learning space for 40 students, 2 general learning spaces for smaller student groups as well as two dedicated breakout spaces for students requiring quiet time during exams. These spaces are designed to be calming and to offer an opportunity for reflection and retreat.
Jagera Walk, the connection between the two buildings, is a lightweight, open-air bridge, which was designed to cross a council-owned laneway within an air-rights easement. The bridge’s delicately perforated metal screens, designed by Deicke Richards, feature a blooming magnolia motif to honour those who are part of the All Hallows’ Magnolia Society. The metal screening allows for breeze and ventilation, important in the sub-tropical climate.
The architectural design embraces adaptive reuse as an act of renewal, with the building fabric both in Callaghan Place and the examination centre Upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems replace ageing infrastructure with efficient, high-performing alternatives, extending the building’s life while reducing operational energy. The replacement of the failing chilled water plant and means the refurbished Callaghan Place can be occupied comfortably year-round and enables better visibility for maintenance, with the unit connected to the School’s BMS.
The interior design strategy was inspired by the transitional Art Deco and Functionalist periods in which the building was originally designed and built, subtly referencing the periods’ proportions, patterns, and palettes whilst also establishing a calm and enduring environment for learning. All Hallows’ School boasts the largest known collection of teacups in the Southern Hemisphere with students gifting these to the school upon their graduation. Callaghan Place contains six display cases specially designed to reference the striking art deco and functionalist geometry and proudly showcase these prize pieces, a reflection of the AHSisters’ story.
Throughout the project, sensitivity to heritage has been matched by a clear focus on contemporary educational needs. The refurbished spaces are designed for flexibility and openness, fostering connection and collaboration. Jagera Walk, conceived as both a threshold and a moment of pause, offers natural light, air and outlook; an architectural counterpoint to the enclosed learning environments it links. The project is currently under construction, with the contract awarded to Rohrig. It is expected to be completed by early 2026.
The refurbished 501 Ann St building has been named Callaghan Place in honour of Mr and Mrs Callaghan with whom Catherine McAuley lived at Coolock House for 20 years. In their will, the Callaghan’s gifted Catherine Coolock House and used the proceeds from the sale to build the House of Mercy on Baggot Street.
- Client
All Hallows’ School
- Location
Brisbane City
- Year
Under Construction