Client: Beaconhills College
Location: Pakenham, VIC
Scope: Purpose-built modular Food Technology building
Key Features: Commercial-grade teaching kitchen, integrated sustainability program, multi-purpose learning spaces, accessible design, specialised ventilation and services
Timeline: Manufactured off-site in parallel with site works, installed and operational within a two-month holiday window
1500m2
Total Area
16 weeks
Factory build
45 days
Time on site
Project Overview
Harwyn delivered a purpose-built Food Technology facility for Beaconhills College at its Pakenham campus, providing a high-performance learning environment aligned with the school’s broader sustainability and community initiatives.
The project was delivered using a design and construct modular approach, allowing the school to move from an outdated facility to a fully operational, purpose-built building within a single holiday period.
The Challenge
Beaconhills’ existing food technology facility was no longer fit for purpose.
The building suffered from poor construction, inadequate ventilation and ineffective air extraction, limiting its ability to support modern teaching requirements. Continuing to invest in the existing facility was not considered a viable long-term solution.
A traditional construction approach would have taken up to two years, creating significant disruption to the school and leaving students without access to a suitable learning environment during that time.
The school required a solution that could be delivered quickly, integrate with the campus masterplan and provide a facility capable of supporting both current and future food technology programs.
The Solution
Harwyn worked closely with Beaconhills College to design and deliver a purpose-built Food Technology facility tailored to the school’s specific requirements.
The building incorporates a commercial-grade teaching kitchen, specialist ventilation and air handling systems, and carefully considered layouts to support safe and effective food preparation and learning. Accessibility was also a key consideration, ensuring the facility supports students of all abilities.
Beyond core teaching functions, the design evolved to include multi-purpose spaces and support areas that enhance the building’s overall functionality and contribution to the campus.
The project forms part of the school’s broader sustainability vision, enabling students to engage in a full cycle of growing, harvesting and preparing food, while also supporting community initiatives such as meal preparation for local charities.
Delivered under a design and construct model, Harwyn provided a single point of responsibility across design, coordination of specialist consultants, construction and delivery, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process.
The Outcome
The new facility was delivered with minimal disruption to the school, with construction largely completed off-site and installation occurring within a short on-site programme.
Students transitioned seamlessly from the old facility to a fully operational, purpose-built environment at the start of term, with no loss of teaching time.
The building now provides a high-quality, future-focused learning environment that supports Beaconhills’ food technology curriculum, sustainability initiatives and community engagement programs.
Importantly, the project demonstrates how a modular design and construct approach can deliver complex, services-intensive educational facilities with speed, certainty and architectural quality.
