South Metropolitan College of TAFE, Armadale Campus
Collaborators : South Metropolitan College of TAFE, Armstrong Collective, PS Structures
Commissioned in 2020 by the WA State Government, the $39M South Metropolitan TAFE (SMT) Campus at Armadale provides a new contemporary training campus for the local areas as well as the South-East Metropolitan corridor of Perth; replacing three separate leased premises with one central owned facility in the heart of the Armadale Town Centre.
The new facility of the South Metropolitan TAFE offers industry-relevant courses across business, childcare, community services, education support, general education and information technology. Stand-out features include a state-of-the-art simulated childcare facility along with simulated counselling rooms for community services courses. The campus also has specialist training areas for IT, classrooms and computer labs for business and general education, along with learning environments that replicate real-world workplaces.
The clayey sand site is classified as Class “S” under AS2870, resulting in the requirement for deep excavations for the basement carpark, which was proof compacted after excavation. A concrete block retaining wall was placed around the carpark. The building consisted of 5 levels being lower ground at carpark level, upper ground and levels 1 to 3. The suspended floor consisted of pre-stressed hollow core concrete planks, reinforced insitu concrete slabs and beams. Additional open-air parking, courtyard terrace, access and site services were created.
Sections of the upper ground floor slab were exposed to weather during construction so the topping to the concrete plank was increased to allow for weatherproofing and heavier reinforcement. The roof was conventional rafters, purlins and metal sheeting. The main entry has a two-storey glazed wall to allow natural life into the foyer. Upper floors were clad in a coloured perforated aluminium folded screen, fixed to the cantilevered concrete slab at each floor with aluminium brackets and stainless-steel bolts.
Airey Taylor Consulting would like to congratulate Armstrong Collective on the successful completion of the leading edge project that brings an iconic modernised design to the sloping site; and PS Structures and supporting contractors for their meticulous attention to detail.
