Wiradjuri People
NSW Regional
Regional
The new administration and classroom buildings have created a new identity for St Joseph’s Primary School and formalised the school within the context of the grounds of St James’ Church and the wider community of Adelong.
This humble yet powerful primary school upgrade reflects the lasting legacy of Florence Mary Taylor – the award’s namesake – who established and edited various building and engineering journals to direct her architecture knowledge towards a wider audience.
In expanding and improving the historic St Joseph’s Primary School and parish site in Adelong, Austin MacFarland has demonstrated exceptional understanding of this unique site and the relationship between its historic and contemporary layers.
The careful siting of two contemporary gabled learning buildings – perpendicular and separated from the original historic school – has generated a campus of multiple structures with generous outdoor learning spaces between. The new administration spaces and classrooms are positioned with meaningful connection to the surrounding open spaces and sweeping natural landscapes beyond. The gables of the new structures respectfully lower their ridges in acknowledgement of their heritage neighbour and the offset between demarks a clear entrance to the learning campus from the street.
This school is an example of a limited budget very well spent. Its value is demonstrated through the joy of its clients and significant uptake in enrolments since completion, as well as quality finishing inside and out.
In their expansion and upgrade of the historic St Joseph’s Primary School in Adelong, Austin MacFarland has demonstrated exceptional understanding of the unique qualities of the site and the relationships between its original and contemporary layers. The project is an example of a limited budget well spent, with exceptional detailing inside and out. Value is demonstrated through the joyful appreciation of the clients and a significant uptake in enrolments since completion.
The careful siting of two contemporary gabled learning buildings perpendicular and separated from the original historic school has generated a campus of multiple structures with generous outdoor learning corridors between. The new administration spaces and classrooms are positioned with meaningful connection to the surrounding open spaces and sweeping natural landscapes. The gables of the new structures respectfully lower their ridges in acknowledgement of their heritage neighbour and the offset between demarks a clear entrance to the learning campus from the street.
The new buildings at St Joseph’s Adelong have been a welcome addition to our rural school. The rooms with their large glass doors and windows not only allow spaces to be flooded with natural light, they frame our beautiful surroundings, views of the Snowy Valleys mountains.
The beautiful new facilities allow both staff and students to have calm and professional spaces that are conducive to learning. The ability to bring the outdoors in enables students to learn in state of the art facilities. The buildings have been instrumental in bringing a sense of calm and motivation across the school community.