Two floors have been constructed in the full width of the main roof, providing one- and two-level rooms with spiral staircases. A key challenge was to arrive at a visually pleasing and highly livable outcome without either concealing or blurring the fact that structural work has been carried out. Not only is the building a significant piece of heritage, but the work was undertaken while students occupied the floors below, and the roof had to be supported while new structure was inserted. The exterior of the building shows little visible evidence of the majors works that underpinned the complex integration of old and new.

The eight room types include original features such as corbelled brickwork, truss timbers, ventilation ducts, and exposed dormer window framing. They are furnished with timber modular units designed in collaboration with fit-out specialists Design Sense, using freestanding elements that provide visual consistency and offer students the ability to customise to suit their needs.

The stair configuration in the building’s clocktower has been returned as closely as possible to its original layout, releasing a set of hidden rooms that rise above the gable roofs, now refrubished as common spaces for student and college use.

AIA (Victoria) Architecture Award 2013 : Heritage category : commendation