Holmesglen Vocational College

Following the success of the Information Building and Teaching Commons at Holmesglen’s Moorabbin campus, Peddle Thorp was engaged to design and deliver Building 12 at the Waverley campus – also known as the Vocational College. This project reflects Holmesglen’s commitment to high-quality vocational education and sustainability-led architecture.

A key focus of the design was the integration of a broad range of Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) strategies to reduce the building’s environmental impact and enhance long-term operational efficiency. These include:

• A living green façade, which provides natural insulation, reduces urban heat gain, and contributes to improved air quality and biodiversity
• Passive solar design principles, such as optimal building  orientation, sun shading, and natural ventilation to minimise reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
• High-performance glazing and insulation to improve thermal  comfort and reduce energy consumption.
• Energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, including motion sensors and daylight-responsive controls.
• Rainwater harvesting systems for landscape irrigation and non-potable water use.
• Sustainable materials selection, with a focus on low-VOC finishes and locally sourced materials.
• Provision for future solar panel installation, allowing the building to adapt and evolve towards greater energy self-sufficiency.