The key to this project was to deliver the desired outcome where newly constructed buildings seamlessly merged with the established, older buildings that they adjoined to.

A specialised painting scheme was used to incorporate both buildings and give aesthetic cohesion, where old and new married. Higgins developed an effective design plan along with the scope of works, and delivered everything within the College’s challenging timeframe, alongside other contractors, and all during the school holidays.

The challenge

Xavier College is a Catholic coeducation school located north of Adelaide, just outside the regional town of Gawler and the gateway to the Barossa Valley. The College enrols over 800 students and was founded in 1996. In early 2013, Higgins Coatings was engaged for painting maintenance. Five years on the relationship is still going strong - with Higgins now the College’s preferred painting contractor.

The College underwent a significant project in 2016 which included the construction of a new student hub. This new contemporary building, which consisted of 6 new classrooms, adjoined a section of the existing two-storey, 12-classroom building that was built in the early 90s. 

While this new addition provided much-needed facilities to enhance the College, it also made the original building look its age. The challenge was to find a solution to make the new section and old section fuse together to look timeless, and make the addition match the original building, and vice versa.

This included working closely alongside the onsite building contractor. With time nearing to the end of 2016, there were tight restrictions around timeframes. The work needed to be conducted and completed before the students returned from holidays in the new year.

Solution

The team at Higgins Coatings assessed the site in detail, taking into consideration the current colour scheme, the aspect of the buildings, and the various types of building materials that had been in both the old building, and the new. They then developed a scope of works and quote, all with a quick turn-around to ensure the tight timeframe was adhered to.

Higgins Coatings then worked closely with the College’s Property Services Team by completing their induction and applying their onsite protocols to finalise the works and ensure the project was completed without incident.

The Higgins team developed a comprehensive access plan by erecting suitable scaffolding, elevated work platforms, and beam lifts to access all external hard-to-reach areas. They continued to roll out the College’s colour scheme across the old building to create the appearance of cohesion. To further enhance the aesthetics and the experience for students and staff, the works also included painting the existing corridors, stairwells and classrooms in the new colour scheme.

"We continue to be happy with Higgins Coatings, and their painting outcomes . They are easy to deal with, valuing a client and supplier relationship, from quoting through to delivery. We appreciate that they don’t overpromise and underdeliver. They just give us professional, honest and high-quality work. I have recommended Higgins to other schools."

Karl Barber - Business Manager, Xavier College

Results 

Xavier College achieved the result they were in search of, which was to create a cohesive space within the College where new and old buildings were bought together.

The carefully chosen colour scheme created the appearance that the extension was part of the original building. The project was delivered seamlessly and on time, during the school holidays without disruption to staff or students.