St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, Senior Primary Learning Centre Re-purposing Project
The Panel considered this project to be a very successful transformation of a dated facility showing a very good interpretation of the School’s objectives combined with giving the outside and interior a bright new contemporary feeling.
The Planning Committee was made up of educators, facility managers, community and designers. They provided a comprehensive brief with a strong vision and a novel approach in providing a number of distinct physical settings: sky high learning tower, comfortable learning, silent walls, dinner table, construction site, busy hives.
In order to provide the defined scope, the existing dowdy 1960 building was extended on the approach street side enabling Minx Architecture to create a welcoming, contemporary looking learning facility. Existing spaces internally were opened up and the creation of the various settings developed.
The result impressively delivers the objectives. The interior spaces are well lit with natural light, are interesting and suitably connected visually. The colour scheme is noted as particularly successful, the use of colour is restrained and serviceable contributing to a studious and calm interior. Externally the colour scheme is strong and vibrant and well suited to the active adjacent recreation area while improving its visibility in the streetscape.
The transformation achieved represents very good value for the funding invested. The Principal sums up the project as follows: “The students have loved working in the space. They appreciate the large amount of natural light that makes learning easier. They appreciate the flexibility to use different areas during the day – from working individually to sharing their learning with the whole group. They appreciate the use of colour”.
The Panel considers this project a worthy recipient of a Commendation.
Project Details
Architects
Minx Architecture
Award
Commendation: Category 4 Renovation/Modernisation Under $2m
Address
51 Plume Street, Norlane VIC 3214
Submitter
Jane Briese
Cost
$1,229,570
Photographer
Rhiannon Slatter of Rhiannon Slatter Photographer
Project Overview
The new Learning centre at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School has been developed within the envelope of an existing structure. Previously planned as cellular spaces, the re-purposing of the western wing, involved removing walls between classrooms, opening onto the corridor space, building up floor levels so that all areas are now accessible and replacing fixed Windows with automated louvres. The tight budget was able to be accommodated through clever planning to create a new flexible teaching and learning space, with better natural ventilation, connections with external learning opportunities and disability access to all areas.
The decision to re-purpose rather than demolish and replace was central to environmentally sustainability considerations at the outset of the project. While the existing external fabric of the building has been retained, environmentally friendly services have replaced existing to reduce the schools reliance on fossil fuels. Automated louvres were installed to replace fixed clerestory panes allowing for night purging and fresh air intake during the day. Lighting was replaced with banks of low energy lights with daylight sensors to minimise the use of artificial lighting. The new infill structure has high levels of insulation, and is constructed from durable, cost effective and low maintenance materials to reduce the ongoing costs of the building during its life span. Mod-wood was chosen for the Learning Decks. This is a low maintenance, non-slip alternative to timber (which is also difficult to set alight – discouraging vandalism) Rainwater is harvested for cistern flushing and garden watering.
Together, St Thomas Aquinas and Minx have created a space that our school community is proud of and fosters deep learning.
