149: Blended Learning Design | Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Ruth Wilson, Principal and Jayden Peacock, Senior Associate at Architectus with twelve offices in Australia and New Zealand. They discuss the Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The Kangan Institute’s new Health and Community Centre of Excellence demonstrates how architecture can do more than house a program—it can shape civic identity and elevate undervalued fields of work. The centre’s design responds to the post-pandemic era of blended learning, offering students the flexibility to study in ways that suit their lives and careers.

Photo Credit: Trevor Mein (Project Photos)

Ruth Wilson, Principal, Architectus

With 30 years of experience in Australia and Europe, Ruth Wilson's diverse and accomplished career has seen her manage large, complex projects and direct multidisciplinary teams towards buildings and places that exist at the forefront of innovative design.

Jayden Peacock, Senior Associate, Architectus

Jayden is a versatile architect and accredited Green Star Professional with experience across education, public, transport, infrastructure, justice and defence projects. A natural problem solver, he excels at leading multidisciplinary teams and distilling complex requirements into cohesive design solutions.

Project Name and Location: Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Context & Vision

• First stage of a major campus transformation in Broadmeadows, a diverse suburb where nearly 60% of residents were born overseas.


• Prominently located between the campus, parkland, and civic centre, connecting the Institute with its community.

Architecture & Design

• Hand-laid brick facade with curved detailing inspired by local creeks and ultrasound imagery.


• Ground-level shopfront windows showcase learning activity to the community.


• Interiors feature timber, concrete, glass, and views to Country, creating calm, purposeful learning spaces.


• Triple-height foyer includes Three Bilangs artwork by First Nations artists Aunty Kim Wandin and Christine Joy.

Learning Environments

• Designed for blended learning, reflecting post-pandemic shifts in study and work.


• Simulation labs, formal classrooms, informal study zones, and light-filled atria across three levels.


• Learning commons and digital resources give students autonomy to access education anywhere, anytime.

Technology & Innovation

• Integrates virtual and augmented reality to simulate complex or hazardous situations.


• Immersive theatre with 360-degree screens, adaptable for teaching, collaboration, or industry engagement.

Community Impact

• Strong integration with Broadmeadows Town Park strengthens civic identity and community connection.


• Supports training in health and community fields like nursing, pathology, and disability support.


• A key driver in Broadmeadows' revitalisation, providing pathways to employment in a growing northern corridor.

Project Team:

• Builder: Hutchinson Builders


• Building Services Engineers ESD and AV: AECOM


• Structural and Civil Engineers: TTW


• Landscape Consultant: Mala


• Artist: Murrup Biik Public Art


• Safety in Design: Salus Risk Consulting


• Access Consultant: Jensen Hughes


• Consultant Building Surveyor: Codus


• Traffic Engineer: Impact

Podcast Production: Gabl Media Group Inc.