Somerville House Heritage Heart - BuildingTomorrowTogether

Where she will create

an inspiring new story

Building Tomorrow Together

The restoration & refurbishment of our Heritage Heart The restoration and refurbishment of our Heritage Heart – the oldest part of the School comprised of heritage listed buildings Cumbooquepa, the Chapel and Chambers – and ‘A Block’, built in the 1920s, will commence at the end of 2021.

Our most meaningful capital project to date will re-set the clock for Somerville House, restore Cumbooquepa to its former glory and provide a true sense of arrival at the School. The new Heritage Heart will unify the old with the new, the past with our future.

The $10.75 million project will carefully blend modern architecture while preserving our heritage façade and will encompass: • ‘A Block’ refurbishments with cutting-edge classrooms and upgraded collaborative learning spaces • The restoration of the iconic Cumbooquepa • The removal of non-heritage elements from Cumbooquepa to reveal an impressively broadened Mall • The Betty Churcher AO Art Gallery will be located within the Chambers Building, along with the new Archives showcasing displays of historical and sentimental significance.

Agile learning domains with state-of-the-art facilities will frame a rejuvenated space where students will be inspired to learn.

A new story unfolds

in our Heritage Heart Somerville House will embark upon an ambitious renewal, restoration and reimagination as part of the 20-year Master Plan. The Heritage Heart will see a refurbishment of ‘A Block’ and a widening of the Mall space that runs behind historic and well-loved Cumbooquepa, once home to generations of boarders.

As part of the Heritage Heart restoration, Cumbooquepa stained glass windows will also be revealed for students in the Mall to admire. The Chapel will remain largely untouched with magnificent gardens encompassing across the full frontage of the Heritage Heart precinct.

The modernisation of Chamber’s interior will ensure that our most prized collections will be preserved and displayed for all to see for many years. These changes are close to the hearts of generations of Old Girls and their families.

“We invite all members of our community to join with us to make this vision a reality. Our legacy will secure their future.”

Ms Dominique Layt, Chair, Somerville House Foundation

The Origins of ‘A Block’ In 1920, architects Chambers and Powell designed ‘A Block’ as a superior learning asset for Somerville students in its day.

Completed in 1926, it featured a gymnasium, chemistry and biology laboratories, six classrooms, music rooms and a room for commercial work on the upper level.

BPSN Architecture propose an imaginative and detailed plan which blends architectural ingenuity and urban design together with the conservation of our unique history.

Somerville House has a long-standing reputation for teaching excellence which stimulates intellectual endeavour and provides students with a wealth of opportunity.

The future focussed renewal project will drive innovation and entrepreneurship with flexible learning zones, for students from Years 10 through 12, to enable ‘hands on learning.

Securing our Archives for the future Custom-built facilities in the historic Chambers Building lend themselves to the Archives and will ensure the preservation of treasured artefacts which capture the culture and unique history of the School over the past 125 years.

The Betty Churcher AO Art Gallery The Gallery, located within the Chambers Building, will feature curated exhibitions from the Somerville House Art Collection which includes works by renowned Old Girl artists Margaret Olley AC, Dr Rhyl Hinwood, Ann Thomson and Lindy Lee. Emerging Old Girl artists like Shilo Engelbrech and Leith Maquire, and prominent Somerville House Art teachers: Godfrey Rivers, Vida Lahey, John Honeywill and Betty Churcher AO herself will be featured in upcoming exhibitions along with: • the Best of the Best Student Art Exhibitions • curated exhibitions drawn from Old Girls’ collections • the importance of the School’s site to Aboriginal communities to forge greater knowledge of our past and help shape a more positive future.

We invite you to join with us to bring our Heritage Heart vision to reality.

Since 1984, the Foundation has raised more than $15 million, contributing over $7.5 million towards major capital projects that have enriched student experience and academic outcomes.

Refurbishments will ensure the longevity of the School’s heritage buildings. Purposefully designed facilities will be integrated to maximise educational opportunities while maintaining much of the original façade.

Building Tomorrow Together “This project is of tremendous significance to the Somerville House community. The first stage of our 20-year Master Plan, will commence in November 2021, and will combine a visionary heritage upgrade with state-of-the-art facilities.”

Mrs Kim Kiepe, Principal, Somerville House

Gifts to the Heritage Heart refurbishment will create first class facilities for our students, inspiring their creativity, curiosity and social conscience. Our unique heritage and strength in the fine arts will be displayed and preserved in the new Archives and Art Gallery.

There are a range of options for consideration.

• Personalised bricks with family or student names, $500 • Memorial pavers commemorate former students and benefactors, $3,000 • Pledges for either brick or memorial pavers • General donations To give to the Foundation Building Fund, please complete the Gift Card or go to our website. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

A refurbished Chambers Building will shine a new light on our traditions and past - showcasing the Betty Churcher AO Art Gallery and the Archives.

The 2020 Somerville House Master Plan is a 20-year project with first stage renovations and construction commencing in late 2021.

Future building projects include the design and build of our new Senior STEAM Precinct and the delivery of Somerfields, our new sporting fields at Rocklea.

The Somerville House Foundation welcomes partnerships with members of our community to collaboratively deliver on our School’s Master Plan.

For more information on our Heritage Heart project, to tour the School or discuss your philanthropic gesture, please contact: Petrina Gilmore Director of Philanthropy Somerville House Foundation Ph: 07 3033 9289 Email: PGilmore@somerville.qld.edu.au www.somerville.qld.edu.au

Building Tomorrow Together CRICOS Provider: 00522G