Victoria
In reflecting on the history of the school, the project grew from the idea of celebrating the industrial past of the area. It is imaginarily built from a variety of decommissioned components from the defunct Point Henry smelter, reassembled in such a way as to deliver essential teaching, learning, admin and amenity needs in a flexible and evocative way. Truss components frame the covered entry area; giant duct like coffers magnify the presence and reflected light of skylights; hopper like elements form window cowls to the street elevation and tank like elements form circular planter box seating along the asphalt basketball court. In this way the project establishes a new and adaptable architectural language and whilst the references are industrial, the components are configured in such a way to create suitably intimate and intriguing internal spaces, with ceiling heights as low as 2.1 meters and as high as 5.0 meters.
Demolishing an existing school and starting almost from scratch – a process guided by no less than four school principals along the way – was no doubt a challenge for all involved, with two generations of history, memories and equipment being compressed into a new building and school of significantly reduced size. With a welcoming new entry, linking walkway canopy and delightful sensory garden, we now have a compact, functional and engaging admin, classroom and amenities building with inspiring teaching and learning spaces. This has given us a brand-new beginning and a bright future.
Gabor Olah, Project Architect
James Staughton, Design Architect
Simone Koch, Project Architect
William Heath, Project Architect
Akritidis Group Building Consultants, Building Surveyor
Alexander Chul, Quantity Surveyor
Architecture & Access, Access Consultant
Cogent Acoustics, Acoustic Consultant
Meyer Consulting, Structural Engineer
Michael Smith & Associates, Landscape Consultant
SPA Consulting Engineers, Services 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.
