Pymble Ladies’ College, Senior Centre – Kate Mason Building, Pymble, NSW

Winner – Category 1B New Construction: Major Facility

Project Details

Architects
pmdl architecture + design

Award
Winner – Category 1B New Construction: Major Facility

Project Overview

In assessing this submission the judges unanimously agreed that the Kate Mason Building represented the culmination of a collective and rigorous planning process between the school and the appointed architects together with a design solution which fully reflected the experiences for each group and the school/community requirements. The genesis came from a Strategic Review Process which resulted in a restructure of the secondary school into 3 schools. This was in response to both the large size of the school and the need to differentiate the pedagogy and learning This process involved researching exemplary learning environments from around the world, visiting schools throughout Australia that utilise different learning space configurations. Sustainability options were explored by the wider teaching staff and community who expressed their views on teaching and learning for the future. A separate identity as a freestanding building and entity also re- affirms the intent to create schools within a school. The end result is a testimony to the thorough briefing and planning processes. The school now has a facility incorporating the latest technologies to support the educational programs and enhance teacher professional development in ICT across the school. A range of ESD initiatives enable the building to achieve energy performance levels more than 80% in excess of the Building Code requirements.