Surf Coast Secondary College
Project Details
Architects
John Schout, dwp|suters
Address
75 White Street Torquay Victoria 3228 Australia
Cost
$25.2 million
Photographer
Emma Cross Photographer
Project Overview
Surf Coast Secondary College is designed as a cohesive community precinct; intended as a focal point for the rapidly growing Torquay community. The new 8,000sqm secondary college for 925 students, is designed to celebrate eco friendly materials and energy efficient design techniques with a focus on the communication of environmental responsibility to students.
Surf Coast Secondary College is designed as a cohesive community precinct. The College provides an innovative educational facility for teachers and students, and a neighborhood hub for the wider Torquay school. The new 8,000sqm secondary college for 925 students incorporates a middle school, senior school and sports facility.
The physical built environment supports the four cornerstones of the College – curriculum, pedagogy, technology and relationships. The education specification for SCSC states that the schooling experience should: “prepare and empower students to assume responsibility for creating and enjoying a sustainable future. ” (SCSC Education Specification 2011) dwp|suters have created a dynamic and fluid environment that enables students to move between different learning environments.
The physical environment enables students to work collaboratively, research and plan independently, be inquisitive and curious and be expert problem solvers. Imaginative planning of the teaching and learning spaces supports the College ‘s pedagogical model of ‘flipped learning ‘. Spatial flexibility is maximized and both general and specialist spaces allow different modes of independent learning to occur effectively and efficiently.
The college is designed to celebrate eco friendly materials and energy efficient design techniques with a focus on the communication of environmental responsibility to students. From the hydronic heating and smart internal climate design to the use of renewable materials and water saving landscaping SCSC is truly a dynamic example that sustainable building can also be highly functional and comfortable.
Positioned on an elevated, sloping site facing south west overlooking Bass Strait, the college is designed to create shelter from the severe coastal winds. The building bends and warps to create a conceptual series of built ‘Hedgerows ‘ that produce spaces for outdoor learning and play, that would otherwise be impossible on the site. The extensively designed and constructed environmental swale drains and detention ponds work effectively to deal with the site ‘s issues around overland flow. The character of Surf Coast inspires the design intent; with materiality and colours that reference the coastal surrounds; an aesthetic that reflects a community who value coastal living.