Mentone Grammar School Greenways Outdoor Learning & Landscape

Mentone Grammar’s desire to actively engage and challenge Year 9 students resulted in the establishment of the Greenways campus on the school site. The existing auditorium has been transformed into a vibrant Year 9 Centre. Integral to the design of the campus was the treatment of external spaces within and surrounding the built form.

Project Details

Architects
Kneeler Design

Award
Commendation Category 6 Landscaping / Outdoor Learning Area

Address
63 Venice Street Mentone, Victoria 3194 Australia

Submitter
Kneeler Design Architects

Cost
$ 167,500.00

Photographer
Silvi Glattauer

Project Overview

The existing building footprint and proximity to the street boundaries provided challenges and opportunities. The aim was to integrate a variety of external spaces to complement the learning and social requirements of the campus. These spaces would be dedicated to the year 9 student body to enhance the sense of ownership. This called for the transformation of an internally focused building to one connected to outdoor spaces. Furniture selection was carefully considered, and the matching of floor levels encouraged the movement of stools, beanbags and mobile benches from inside to outside.

The design process and response to the educational pedagogy resulted in a variety of outdoor learning decks and landscaped spaces. This gives flexibility and allows the students and teachers to gravitate towards a space that suits the needs of the activity at hand. There are four distinct learning decks: the Entry Cafe Deck (01), the semi circular Presentation Deck (02), the western Wet Area Deck (03) and the Central Glazed Courtyard (04). The landscaping beyond, divided into zones, extends from learning pods, to tranquil garden to orchard & rocks. The decks extending to the street boundaries act as divisions between the different moods, textures & planting of the landscaping. The series of learning pods, each with its own identity, has transformed a previously dead area of the site.

As play space was at a premium, the driveway and existing gums at the entry have been appropriated through simple use of bollards creating a forecourt to the Entry Deck. This deck functions as an outdoor cafe and gathering space with a direct link to the Entry Studio and student run kitchen and cafe. This is the most public of the outdoor spaces with the cafe catering to the staff, students and broader community.

The glazed internal courtyard, opening to all sides, acts as a visual and physical extension to the interior and provides fresh air and a view to otherwise internal spaces. The simple planting of a single deciduous tree marks the changing of the seasons. The inclusion of a wet area bench running through to the adjacent internal space increases the uses of the courtyard. The other decks utilise the space between the building and street boundaries. Outdoor Learning 03, with wet bench and umbrellas, is located along the axis of the internal courtyard and the largest internal learning space. The bamboo planting provides a green bookend to this vista. Outdoor Learning 02, suited for larger gatherings & presentations, is a semi circular deck with slatted seating and curved wall. All decks are directly linked to internal spaces to enhance learning options. The decking is made of recycled material with low ongoing maintenance.