Eltham High School Flexible Learning Centre
Eltham Victoria has been an artists’ community since the early 1900’s. Eltham High School supports this artistic tradition. The school has well established dance, drama and fine arts programs. The school’s new Flexible Learning Centre (FLC) provides a flexible learning environment capable of nurturing and supporting this curriculum
Project Details
Architects
Gray Puksand
Address
Withers Way Eltham, VIC 3095 Australia
Submitter
Gray Puksand
Cost
$ 7,940,500.00
Photographer
Mark Duffus
Project Overview
Like many schools, EHS had experienced ad-hoc development. As a result, the school lacked identity and a sense of place. During master `planning, the brief identified the following items to address this:
• Provision of an identifiable entry and public address;
• The development of multi-purpose spaces to engage the wider community;
• Retention of the original 1928 school building;
• Creation of flexible learning environments that support the different ways in which students learn;
• Enhancing the courtyard based urban design of the school.
Entry to the school was dominated by the back of a dilapidated hall and substandard classrooms. In the place of these buildings now stands a new FLC that presents a public face for the campus. The façade expresses the schools dedication to the arts in the form of dancing precast panels, stepped roof forms and massing. The original 1928 school building has been retained. The FLC wraps around and integrates with this historic building.
The FLC provides flexible learning environments that meet the needs of a diverse student body. Modern pedagogy is catered to with the following solutions:
• Different sized and shaped areas are provided so students can be in large or small groups to listen to speakers;
• ICT enabled environments for small groups to work on projects;
• Areas that are suitably equipped to allow students to watch demonstrations and carry out their own;
• Areas where students can give performances;
• Gallery spaces where students can display their work;
• Easy access to the surrounding environment so that learning can seamlessly move outside;
• A central courtyard acts as a gathering, dispersal and learning space. It assists with connectivity, way finding and provides passive surveillance opportunities;
• Staff work areas that enable continuing work groups to plan and share teaching and learning methods.
The completion of this project has provided a safe, forward thinking, flexible learning environment that supports the implementation of innovative teaching strategies in line with the school-wide pedagogies. It allows direct links with the school and wider communities and re-focuses the school as the centre of its community.
