The building took out the New Construction/New Individual Facility category in the Council of Educational Facility Planners International awards.

The awards’ jurors described the design – which features timber decks and a small pier stretching out over the water – as “a concrete expression of the philosophy of boundaryless learning fostered at Marist College”.

“The form of the building and its relationship to the surrounding landscape demonstrate Y2Architecture’s careful consideration of the needs of a new school community, the Marist Hermitage origins and symbolism, as well as the challenges and opportunities posed by the site,” they said.

“The wetlands environment is used as an outdoor classroom where students monitor the biology of the water. The deck spaces are… perfect for relaxing, watching bird life and listening to frog calls.”