Sacred Heart Primary School, Multi-Use Hall and Classroom Addition

The Multi-Use Hall and Classroom Addition is the culmination of a two phase master plan for Sacred Heart Primary School. Based on a collaborative design process with the School Community, this solution successfully integrates three varying briefing elements with an existing Classroom Building originally built in the 1960’s.

Project Details

Architects
Gray Puksand

Address
116 Cotham Road, Kew VIC 3221

Submitter
Wayne Hay

Cost
$3,144,000.00

Photographer
Mark Duffus

Project Overview

The design of the Multi-Use Hall and Classroom Addition incorporates three disparate briefing elements into one cohesive design. The initial brief for the Addition was established as part of the 2006 Master Plan. This Master Plan called for the addition of two classrooms on the first floor of the existing Administration and Junior School Building. Meanwhile, the Principal identified the need for a Multi-Use Hall to cater to large group activities and social functions. With the parent community adamant about the requirement for the two additional Classrooms, a compromise was reached that provided both functions while also identifying a found opportunity for an Art Studio. There was also the requirement to house the Parish’s Tennis Club, which had previously occupied a building that had to be demolished to make way for the addition.

With the brief established, the design challenge was integrating this addition with the existing building while creating a vibrant space for education. On the Ground Floor, two sub-standard Classrooms and the Tennis Clubhouse were demolished to make way for the Multi-Use Hall. The Hall then connects into the existing building via an internal corridor and two newly renovated Classrooms. A feature stair connects the Hall to the First Floor Addition. At the top of this stair are the Art Room and a corridor connecting to the building’s original entry stair. Along this corridor are two existing and two new Classrooms. The Classrooms have operable partitions to provide opportunities for team and collaborative learning outcomes.

The external design is essentially a simple box that is enlivened by a dynamic first floor facade treatment. Viewed from the playfields, this facade is made up of a series of panels that take their inspiration from a time-lapse photo of a running man. This facade sits atop a glazed plinth that elevates it above the ground while also providing ample natural light to the Multi-Use Hall below.