Xavier College Kostka Building
The Kostka Building at Xavier College is a modern, purpose-built education space designed to support the learning and wellbeing of Year 7 and 8 students. Overlooking the iconic Memorial Chapel and the redeveloped Chapel Oval, this expansion accommodates an additional 500 students, balancing contemporary innovation with the school’s rich heritage.
Designed by MGS Architects and delivered by Ireland Brown Construction, the building is seamlessly integrated into the campus through a multistorey learning street. This open and connected space links key areas of the building and school but also puts learning on display.
Inside, the lower ground level includes a chapel, drama space, technical rooms, and essential services. The ground floor features cutting-edge classrooms for arts, science, and technology, while the upper two levels house general learning areas, a central breakout space, and staff offices.
The Kostka Building is a hybrid concrete and timber structure. The lower levels are built from concrete for efficiency and stability, while the upper levels use lightweight glued-laminated timber (GLT) columns and beam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels. European spruce GLT is paired with Australian pine CLT, creating a warm and inviting learning environment.
Sustainability was a priority from the outset, with a strong focus on responsible material selection. Mass timber was the ideal choice, aligning with the project's vision and environmental goals. The use of GLT and CLT throughout the structure reflects Xavier College’s commitment to sustainable construction and innovative design.
The timber in the student break-out space creates a warm and inviting environment.
The European glue-laminated columns and beams have been expertly combined with Australian CLT.
The central ‘learning street is a generous and light filled space that connects the Kostka building to the surrounding campus.
The use of open voids connects the spaces.
The clever design of timber-to-timber connections reduced the need for lateral ‘V’ shaped bracing which would have blocked access to natural light.