ABBOTSLEIGH COLLEGE – WHEELDON HOUSE

32 ROOM BOARDING HOUSE FACILITY

Occupying approximately 16,500sqm, the new Wheeldon House site provides Years 11 and 12 girls with 32 boarding rooms in each house, with associated Boarding Coordinator’s residences and Resident Assistants’ rooms.

Works involved the demolition of an existing house, being No 18 Lucinda Avenue, and the construction of a new building that steps a total of five levels over a 12 metre cross-fall. The building has been built to reflect the existing ground levels as closely as possible. In order to achieve this, the building does not exceed a two storey limit except for at one point. Where there is a fall it actually reaches a height of approximately 18 metres at its most southern point.

Features include:

• The site was built around an existing strand of trees and the remnants of a Blue Gum High Forest. The location of these trees was a major influence on the building layout.
• Access from the road parking / drop off point to the front door of each boarding house is along level or gently sloping walkways, with a 1 in 20 to 1 in 33 gradient.
• Common rooms, TV and recreational areas, including outdoor terraces and level grassed areas, are readily accessible for persons with disabilities.
• All rainwater from roof areas is collected and recycled for use in toilets (44), laundries (2) for clothes washing and cultivated landscape areas.
• Hot water pipes are heavily insulated.
• Sun shading is provided to all windows, other than south facing windows.
• Common areas have larger glazed areas with doors opening to the outside.
• Bedrooms and common areas have a section of centrally controlled under floor heating.