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Brigid Shelly Building, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
Brigid Shelly Building, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
A contemporary learning environment that fuses heritage, sustainability and innovation
About the building
The Brigid Shelly Building is one of the most historically significant buildings at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, representing more than a century of Mercy education while evolving to meet the needs of contemporary learning.
Our Lady of Mercy College opened in 1889. A decade later, the two-storey cream-coloured building on Villiers Street opened, containing classrooms and a boarding wing. By 1929, the expansion of the school required a substantial new building capable of housing approximately 150 boarders and 200 day students. This building, and its earlier neighbour, became known as the Brigid Shelly Building, named in honour of Sister Brigid Shelly (Sister Mary Alphonsus), one of the pioneering Sisters of Mercy in Parramatta. When the boarding school closed in 1974, the building transitioned to full educational use.
The newest chapter in the building’s history came with the completion of the Brigid Shelly Northern Wing, officially opened in November 2023. Mayoh Architects refurbished the historic building and designed the contemporary wing to allow the old and new to sit alongside one another, reflecting the OLMC’s philosophy of honouring its Mercy heritage while embracing innovation.
The existing classroom spaces within the heritage-listed building have been transformed into flexible and modern classrooms, while the new four-storey extension contains an additional 18 classrooms, breakout and collaboration areas, a tiered auditorium and a theatre. Landscaped courtyards and outdoor learning areas allow natural light and air to circulate throughout the building. The design showcases the heritage character of the original Brigid Shelley Eastern Wing, while the Northern Wing is built with sustainable materials and construction methods. The project draws on biophilic design principles with visual connections to outside spaces, natural materials, high standard indoor air quality and generous spaces.
Built
2023
Architect
Mayoh Architects
Awards
INDE.Awards – Finalist, The Learning Space, 2024
Sustainability Awards – Finalist, Education & Research, 2024
Find out more about this building here
Brigid Shelly Building, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
4–6 Victoria Road, Parramatta
Entry details
Attendees will have access to the Brigid Shelly Building and the heritage displays in the Stanley Rooms, both of which are not normally open to the public
10am–4pm
3.45pm
Need to know
Toilets availableAn accessible toilet is available, with entry via Ross Street only
Photography restricted
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