Education

–1:1 Architects were engaged to design and document Capital works at Portland Secondary College in Portland, Western Victoria. The project involves the refurbishment of existing buildings at the school.

– An AMP Gate 2 masterplan report was carried out to ascertain the most effective use of the budget in line with the school’s vision.

– During the design, several meetings and presentations were held at the school as part of an extensive consultation process. This included community, administration and student involvement in a series of exercises designed to establish a comprehensive design brief.

– A warm palette and materials were chosen due to their ability to fit the school’s needs and compliment the design.

– The design involves calls for the re-orientation of axial movement through the building. Whilst maintaining the general functional layout, the building aims to become more of a neighborhood catering towards the community, staff and students.

–Alfred Rd Kindergarten is a small renovation project to an existing kindergarten in Burwood commissioned by the City of Boroondara.

–The building required a general upgrade to most of the fixtures and fittings along with a roof replacement. Part of the roof covered an existing pergola area which became a main design feature of the renovation in the form of a glazed playroom.

–The glazed playroom contributes greatly to the interior learning environment by bringing light and warmth into the main playroom and providing a safe sheltered area for the children to interact. A strong visual connection to the outdoor area fosters an appreciation of the natural environment and makes it part of the children’s everyday learning environment.

–Overall this was a small renovation project where we were able to make small gestures that could contribute greatly to the existing spaces giving them new life.

– 1:1 Architects were selected by the Department of Education and Training to provide full Architectural services for the 2016-17 modernisation works to Grovedale College. The budget allocated $7 Million to Capital Works and $587,000 to CAR Maintenance Works.

– The Master Planning phase focused on aligning the School’s Educational Direction, projected entitlement figures and allocated funds to arrive at a Return Brief.

– The Consultant team, led by 1:1, was able to design within budgetary constraints for a number of priority projects which vary between Refurbishment and New Build works. These include a Double Court Gymnasium with External netball court (Competition Grade) Performing Arts Centre (Drama, Music, 400 seat Auditorium), Canteen, Student Lounge, Student Toilet Block and Home Economics Classrooms.

– Given that the New Build amounted to less than half of the total building stock, it seemed appropriate to draw inspiration from the existing architectural context. The materials of brick and corrugated iron were incorporated into the New Build and reimagined within a contemporary
context.

– Staughton College has a fast, growing community with an increase of 650+ student enrolment in the next five years. The school’s vision is to create an inclusive school community that celebrates diversity and encourages students to become the “best versions of themselves” – academically, socially and personally. It is, however, perceived among both students and staff that the physical environment is not reflective of this culture, nor does it support the learning growth and individual pursuits of students.

– Between the project team, it was agreed that the upgrade and extension to the Gymnasium building was the school’s priority, given the demographic of students, student well-being and that the existing gymnasium is undersized for its current student population.

– The gymnasium building will undergo major refurbishment works to the existing amenities, weights rooms, storage areas and with reconfiguration to the layout and room areas, will include a new GPC, DDA toilet and shower room and breakout areas.

– To lift the physical appearance throughout the school, we will refurbish areas of the existing covered walkways connecting to the gymnasium, with colour, new metal ceiling lining and, new LED light fittings.

– Watsonia Primary School’s main focus was to improve its image, not only in the eyes of the students and staff but also in the eyes of the community. The works focus on strengthening the relationships and collaboration the school has with other schools and the community by providing improved sports facilities, safer playgrounds, and new boundary deterrent lines.

– The school had expressed that the community views and engagement with the facilities are essential and, they would like to continue and improve them.

– The school is receiving a new Oval, complete with a new cricket pitch, automatic irrigation system, drain and water tank with rainwater catchment from the main building.

– The school will also get a new bitumen surface and topped up with a soft covered acrylic paint to both basketball and all their down ball courts.

– Other areas of works included new fencing throughout and soft fall surfaces to their playground area.