MLC Marshmead is a learning-in-residence campus situated on a 114 hectare farm bordering the Croajingolong National Park in far East Gippsland. Designed as a community village, the campus accommodates 120 students and staff in 8-week terms.
The original vision for the campus was to promote student development, energy efficient living and leisure and life skills. Since the campus was built in 1990 the delivery of education has evolved as much as the global focus of our environmental impact.
Foreground (then FMSA) worked closely with the client to design a masterplan and 10-year education strategy to steer Marshmead towards a ‘carbon conscious’ model village.
The masterplan created new precincts for staff, students, community and agriculture. The masterplan was executed in stages to allow the campus to continue functioning. Works included the relocation of existing building, construction of new facilities including classrooms, residences and support buildings, and the integration of environmental systems.
Upgrades to the remote area solar and wind generation with additional grid interactivity, included 1kW solar arrays feeding back into the ‘Marshmead’ grid – then one of only two of its kind in Australia. Water harvesting, treatment and reuse plus grey water systems are also a key focus. As metering and monitoring system is linked to all aspects of daily living, this allows students to access daily collection and consumption data both in their houses and across the campus.