In January 2023, Scotch College opened the doors to the $27 million Purruna Spencer Newton Centre, a state of the art facility dedicated to promoting holistic wellbeing. This impressive complex includes indoor courts, fitness studios, a swimming centre, and versatile classroom and consultation spaces. By partnering with YMCA South Australia, a leading not-for-profit organisation, the College extended community access to these outstanding amenities.

The name, “Purruna,” pays homage to the Kaurna people, Adelaide’s First Nation, and embodies their philosophy of holistic wellbeing. It represents the balance between physical, mental, and emotional health while fostering meaningful connections with others and the land. Alongside this cultural tribute the Centre honours two key figures in Scotch College’s history, Raymond Spencer and Dr. John Newton, whose vision and leadership were pivotal in shaping the College’s vision and bringing this project to life.

As part of its centenary celebrations, Scotch College envisioned the Centre as a reflection of its 100-year commitment to wellbeing, a cornerstone of its curriculum. The concept of regeneration, focusing on creating positive contributions rather than simply minimising environmental impact, became a guiding principle for the project. This forward thinking approach inspired the College to go beyond the original brief, embracing an ambitious and innovative design.

HI Lighting played a vital role in shaping the lighting strategy, working closely with all stakeholders to balance aesthetics and functionality. The design leveraged the Centre’s abundance of natural light and scenic surroundings, creating a bright and welcoming daytime atmosphere while ensuring effective evening illumination. Hames Sharley, the architectural firm behind the project, focused on local sourcing to support the community and maintain sustainability, allowing HI Lighting to leverage our strong local brand partnerships. With energy efficiency as a top priority, the lighting system was designed to optimise savings through advanced control systems, incorporating daylight-based monitoring to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort.

The Purruna Spencer Newton Centre broke new ground as one of the first wellbeing hubs designed specifically for a school. With no existing models to follow, Scotch College and Hames Sharley worked closely together to define the Centre’s purpose and functionality, addressing the diverse needs of multiple stakeholders while staying true to the project’s vision. A key challenge was balancing community access with student safety. The College wanted to create an inviting space for public use while ensuring the security of its students, requiring thoughtful planning and creative solutions. Prioritising natural light and ventilation also presented unique spatial challenges. To address these, the team incorporated multi directional windows into the floorplan, ensuring bright, open spaces throughout the facility.

The consultation process for this project was thorough and focused on meaningful engagement.  HI Lighting’s ability to bring together designers, engineers, and clients proved invaluable to the project’s success. By facilitating open discussions and aligning diverse perspectives, we ensured all stakeholders needs were addressed. This skill in fostering collaboration and inclusivity is not unique to this project, it’s a defining strength we bring to every partnership. It’s this approach that makes HI Lighting a trusted partner, consistently delivering exceptional results.

Project Credits:
Scotch College
Hames Sharley
Wax Design
Lucid Consulting
CME Group
Badge Construction
David Sievers Photography
Trim Photography