Mount Lawley Primary School
Project Details
Architects
Tony D ‘Andrea
Address
92 Second Avenue Mount Lawley , WA 6050 Australia
Submitter
Rachel Palmer
Cost
$8,709,200.00
Photographer
Andrew Pritchard Photography
Project Overview
Due to extensive fire damage of the existing school, a new replacement primary school was required to accommodate increasing student numbers on a restrictive site, the incorporation of the salvaged original fa çade and retention of significant existing trees.
Retention of the original Second Avenue facade was critical to the school ‘s physical identity, and a significant element to the adjoining streetscape and Mt Lawley community historical aesthetic. Whilst the historical aesthetic was retained along the main facade, as one moves around the building the aesthetic morphs into a two storey contemporary aesthetic along the north facade. This key element acknowledges the school ‘s 100 year history, and provides a strong identity for the schools future.
The learning environments (quods) created have provided staff with not only greater flexibility in delivering different programs but it has enhanced the ability for the staff to collaborate through central storage areas, meeting rooms and the use of a common area within the quods.
The creation of ‘spill out ‘ areas in the form of amphitheatres in both our junior and senior outdoor areas, has provided an opportunity for staff to deliver more significant drama programs and for students to use these as a basis for meeting others to spend time in exchanging ideas and just chatting in a very tranquil and peaceful environment.
The creation of a special spill out area in our junior quod, as a central meeting place, is something that all have commented on. Students use this tranquil area, filled with plants and greenery to read, to relax or for small group work.
The use of space has been something very significant about this new building. One initiative which has been welcomed by staff has been the additional storage space as part of the learning walls. The inclusion of whiteboards in front of storage areas has provided greater flexibility in our learning programs but also provided additional storage space for staff members.
Key design elements include two storey internal courtyards providing light, ventilation and visual connectivity; incorporation of light shelves to maximize natural light to learning areas; external curved seating plinths and wide verandahs to create outdoor learning spaces.
The school building has many unique points of differences which make a truly remarkable school which will enhance the delivery of education within our local community.
