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St Aloysius College Altiora Campus: Strive for higher things
After an ambitious 18-month construction program on a tightly constrained inner-city site, Building Engineering has proudly delivered the new Altiora Senior Years Campus for St Aloysius College in North Melbourne.
Delivered as Stage One of the College’s broader Masterplan, Altiora represents an important milestone in the evolution of St Aloysius College, supporting enrolment growth, the College’s transition to co-education and its vision for a contemporary senior learning environment.
Construction commenced in October 2024, with the existing Boundary Road Gymnasium demolished to make way for the new purpose-built campus. Rising six levels above ground with an additional basement level, the seven-level facility was successfully completed in time to welcome students for Term 3, 2026.
For Building Engineering Construction Manager David Gurr, achieving this program was a significant accomplishment for the entire project team.
“When I think back on this project, one of the things I’m proudest of is delivering the project on time. We started construction here in October 2024, and we are now handing over the building ready for Term 3, 2026.”
Building up on a constrained inner-city site
One of the defining challenges of Altiora was its location and exceptionally small construction footprint.
Delivering a seven-level education facility within an active North Melbourne school environment required careful staging, detailed planning and close coordination throughout construction. With limited space available for site establishment, materials handling and construction activities, the team worked collaboratively to manage the logistical complexities while maintaining progress against the ambitious program.
As David explained, it was this collaborative approach that underpinned the successful delivery.
“Buildings like this don’t come together without close collaboration between our client, St Aloysius College, SEMZ, our project manager, Hayball as the lead architect, and the other design consultants.”
That sentiment was echoed by Caera Hall, Senior Project Manager at SEMZ, who highlighted the strong relationships and communication maintained across the project team, with challenges resolved collectively and the College’s priorities remaining central to decision-making.
Designed for the next generation
The new Altiora Campus has been designed as an aspirational and mature learning environment for senior students as they progress through VCE and prepare for future education pathways.
The facility brings together flexible classrooms and learning environments, state-of-the-art science facilities, collaborative and event spaces, a dedicated student hub, administration and staff areas, and a welcoming foyer and reception.
At the upper level, a multifunctional space connects seamlessly with an external rooftop terrace, providing students with additional learning and recreation space alongside expansive views towards the Melbourne CBD. The building has also been carefully planned to maximise access to natural light across its constrained footprint.
The surrounding works included new landscaping and upgraded roadway connections, further improving the functionality and experience of the broader campus.
More than a building
Central to the project was an understanding that Altiora needed to reflect not only the College’s educational requirements, but its identity, values and aspirations for its students.
St Aloysius College Principal Mary Farah reflected on Building Engineering’s approach to the project:
“From the outset, Building Engineering understood that this project was about far more than delivering a building. They took the time to understand who we are as a Catholic Mercy College, what we value, and the aspirations we hold for our students.”
The Altiora Senior Years Campus was officially opened in August 2026, bringing together the St Aloysius community, the Sisters of Mercy, education representatives and the project team to celebrate the culmination of years of vision, planning and collaboration.
The name Altiora, meaning “strive for higher things,” captures the ambition behind the new campus and the opportunities it will provide for generations of students.
As Mary reflected at the completion of the project:
“Ultimately, this campus is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a lasting investment in people, in possibility, and an enduring belief that every student deserves a place where they can flourish and become their very best version of themselves.”
Building Engineering is proud to have worked alongside St Aloysius College, SEMZ, Hayball and the broader consultant and subcontractor team to bring this significant project to life and deliver a new learning environment that will support the College community well into the future.
