Kaurna people
South Australia
Barely recognisable from its former state, the frontage of St Joseph’s School Tranmere has been transformed into a child’s natural wonderland. A new central spine defines and connects the campus, with the new Learning Street at its core, where a sense of play and nature continues.
New light-filled classrooms are zoned with refurbished existing classrooms and connected by a double height shared space, designed to inspire creative and collaborative thinking. Playful, colourful interiors celebrate the joy of learning, while fostering student wellbeing and sensory regulation. Delivering on the school’s vision to embrace nature, indoor-outdoor connections and landscaping have been prioritised throughout, including nature play, outdoor learning, living shade and views.
The underutilised Parish Hall – a local heritage place – has been sympathetically restored to provide contemporary amenities shared by the school, OSHC and Parish. The dramatically improved facilities and presence has restored a sense of community and pride.
The St Joseph’s Tranmere Redevelopment realizes a strategic masterplan that creates an engaging, playful environment, specifically tailored to the needs of young learners. A welcoming design approach responds to specific educational requirements and age groups, while a central learning street is seamlessly integrated into both the site and the new building. The new facilities are designed to support the unique needs of the school and enhance its presence in the community, delivering on a long-term vision.
The design needed to work around existing classrooms to provide a contemporary, flexible learning environment through improvements of acoustics, light and ventilation allowing for better student engagement and performance. This Learning Street maintains the individual classroom space yet provides a strong sense of connection as you enter the centre and immediately feel part of the whole community. This was an important aspect in its design as we wanted to create a real sense of connectiveness, a place to belong and feel special in our school. We are very pleased and proud of what has been achieved, an outstanding team effort.
Nicole Dent (Stage 2), Project Director
Tim Fenton (former staff member) (Stage 2), Project Lead
Tessa Sare (Stage 2), Project Architect
Nick Parker (Stage 2), Project Team
Amber Frazer-Jones (former staff member) (Stage 2), Interior Design
Garth Davos (Stage 2), Lead Technician
Peter Hillan, Design Review
Dimitty Andersen (former staff member) (Stage 1), Project Director
Elizabeth Little (Stage 1), Project Lead
Kimberley Harbison (Stage 1), Project Architect
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec, Structural Engineer
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec, Civil Consultant
Lucid Consulting Australia, Services Consultant
Heinrich Consulting, Cost Consultant
WAX Design, Landscape Consultant
Resonate, Acoustic Consultant
Buildsurv, Town Planner