Chilwell Primary School

Chilwell Primary School has a bright and engaging, purpose built facility to drive their 21st century education program. Four learning spaces with a shared learning common and linked break out spaces engage students in individual, group, class and year sized learning practices, in efficient and thermally stable, healthy spaces.

Project Details

Architects
Third Ecology

Award
Commendation – Category 1B New Construction, Major Facility

Address
313A Pakington Street, Newtown, Victoria 3220

Submitter
Ryan Thompson

Cost
$2,497,738.48

Photographer
Guy Le Page (Open 2 View)

Project Overview

Rarely is a Government Primary School afforded the opportunity to create a purpose built and much needed learning facility to drive their education program through the 21st century. For Chilwell Primary School, originally constructed in 1878, this is exactly what has happened. CPS has a permanent enrolment of nearly 350 students, across 14 classes. Under the $14.06 billion Federal Government Primary Schools for the 21st Century program, Chilwell Primary School was approved for a Round 3 nontemplate project up to the value of $2.5 million. Working to strict design, documentation and consultant co-ordination delivery timeframes, to meet BER requirements, Third Ecology put the project out to tender to ensure that all work was completed before March 2011. The education brief and functional program given to Third Ecology was complex and multi faceted. Three master plan options were developed with the School Council, with the adopted plan focusing on the construction of a new two storey building which sat over the footprint of the demolished former Library, to enhance the courtyard space it encloses. A smaller courtyard was incorporated on the north side of the ground level Library to provide an outdoor learning, performance and recreational space. Students play with oversized chess pieces on a large paved chess board. Colour and materials provide a bright and engaging set of spaces as well as tying the ‘new’ in with the ‘old’ built form. The spaces are light, well ventilated and thermally comfortable, providing an engaging and healthy learning environment for students.