Transforming Heritage: Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

DesignInc Melbourne has undertaken the ambitious task of repurposing a distinguished heritage building to create a cutting-edge training facility for Victoria’s educators. Valued at $16.8 million, the project reflects the Academy’s commitment to delivering top-tier professional development programs and honoring the teaching profession’s significance.

Embracing Heritage and Prestige

Located in Melbourne’s Treasury precinct, the historic 3-level building, erected in 1858, now stands as a modern adult learning and teaching hub. Drawing inspiration from Victorian architecture and the Academy’s stature, the design pays homage to the building’s rich legacy while infusing contemporary elements. Jane Sayers, DesignInc Principal, emphasizes the narrative-driven approach to interior design, aimed at inspiring and empowering educators.

A Creative Journey Through Time and Space

The conceptual design envisages a transformative journey traversing all levels and spaces, symbolizing the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. Central to this vision is a new linking stair within an existing heritage lightwell, embodying light, creativity, nature, memories, and hope. DesignInc conceived the building’s three levels as analogous to a tree, with each layer representing a distinct temporal phase — the basement symbolizing the past, the center representing the present, and the top level signifying the future.

Adaptable Learning Spaces for the Modern Era

The Academy’s innovative learning environments cater to various contemporary educational settings, blending face-to-face and digital learning modalities. Flexibility and transparency are integral to the design ethos, manifested through adaptable spaces supporting diverse learning modes, including individual study, group collaboration, lectures, and remote learning. DesignInc introduces the concept of ‘hackable spaces,’ empowering educators to experiment, prototype, and innovate within dynamic environments conducive to exploration and creativity.

In conclusion, the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership emerges not merely as a static structure but as a dynamic ecosystem poised for continual evolution. Through thoughtful design interventions and a forward-thinking approach, DesignInc has crafted a facility that embodies the ethos of lifelong learning and embraces the ever-changing landscape of education.