Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
At Bayswater Secondary College we were presented with an envious situation; the transformation of an existing school which, by removal of ageing buildings, did not increase site density. The qualities of the site at our disposal – its breadth, connection to Dandenong Creek and views to the Dandenong Ranges – led us to a design which explored its bucolic character.
Each of two classroom buildings features a central axis of circulation, outdoor learning areas and breakout spaces, providing graduations of variety and connectivity. On either side, classrooms connect flexibly with these areas, allowing varied learning configurations.
Drawn from the lineage of shed architecture, with references to agricultural buildings both local and not, forms and materials relate to one another, and to the landscapes they both evoke and occupy. Shaped to suit the school’s site, circulation, formal and informal activities, this rural sensibility is a means to a collective, public architecture.
Workshop Architecture worked closely with our staff and students to develop designs that captured perfectly the way we want to teach. The masterplan provides the arrangement of year level teaching we needed with exciting new community facilities. The flexibility of the breakout and indoor/outdoor spaces creates a dynamic learning environment while also being suitable for our more highly sensitive students.
A pleasure to work with, Workshop have also provided us with beautiful buildings. We love the light and views, the materials and colours that fit wonderfully with our natural environment.
Simon Whibley, Design Architect
Wanwan Darmali, Project Architect
Jamie Kelson, Project Architect
Ehsan Khoshnami, Project Architect
Simone Koch, Project Architect
Jaime Fuenzalida, Graduate of Architecture
Miglic MacLeod, Structural Engineer
JBA Consulting Engineers, Services Consultant
Akritidis Group Building Consultants, Building Surveyor
DDEG Acoustics, Acoustic Consultant
Michael Smith & Associates, Landscape Consultant
Surfcoast Surveying and Drafting, Site Survey
Energy Lab, ESD Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
