South Australia
St Joseph’s School is a Reception to Year 9 co-education school serving the community in the Murray Bridge Mallee area since 1925 in the traditional lands of the Ngarrindjeri people.
Murray Bridge people have a connection to their city, its agricultural history and the river. Working with the School, we found inspiration for our final form through exploration of these important connections, culminating in the simple beauty of River Murray, the bridges and the silos in the agricultural settings.
A deep desire from the St Joseph’s leadership to provide the School with “something’ new, different, inviting and distinctly “Murray bridge-like” formed the framework of the project.
The aspiration for St Joseph’s is that the school reflects the contemporary world, prepares its students for a life of learning and creates an education environment which matters to students and their families that resonates culturally and deeply.
The ‘state-of-the-art’ new middle school building provides the opportunity for Murray Bridge students to have access to contemporary learning environments. As part of a growth initiative, Catholic Education SA, identified opportunities for expanding existing schools in regional areas to provide middle school curriculum.
Bright, light-filled learning areas with specialist learning facilities such as the science labs and home economics areas and common areas on both floors, including outdoor learning spaces on the ground floor provides ample areas for collaboration and innovative learning.
This new building has made an impact on improving learning environments and educational opportunities for St Joseph students.
Isabella Ricci, Graduate of Architecture
Lisa Martin, Design Architect
Matt Martin, Project Lead
Birdseye Studios, Landscape Consultant
Chris Sale Consulting, Quantity Surveyor
Meinhardt, Services Consultant
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec WGA, Civil Consultant
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec WGA, Structural Engineer
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.
