Junior Learning Centre, St Mary’s Primary
Project Details
Architects
Ken Woodman No. 42 Architects
Award
Winner Category 4 Renovation/Modernisations Under $2M
Address
43 O’Donnell Ave, Myrtleford VIC 3737
Cost
$643,743
Project Overview
The Reggio Emilia educational approach at St Mary’s Primary Junior Years is supported by a range of learning settings to provide the students with opportunities for various learning modalities. The settings are described though verbs such as Entering, Building, Moving, Creating, Reading, Meeting and Talking.
Jury Citation
Within an extremely modest budget No 42 Architects have transformed traditional classrooms at St Mary’s Primary School into a vibrant and engaging learning centre.
Planning and consultation were thoroughly executed to meet the school’s needs to deliver early years education following the philosophy of Reggio Emilia.
The unfortunate event of a fire at the school enabled the complete ‘gutting’ of the area previously identified for refurbishment and allowed for a highly functional , environmentally sustainable and contemporary design to emerge.
Of particular note is the connectivity between the internal and external learning environment, creating a stimulating area for students to play and relax.
Clever use of soft furnishings enables spaces to be defined or opened up depending on the activity undertaken. The inclusion of platforms for performance and the differentiation in flooring materials encourages natural delineation and use of the space. Overall the material choices reflect a calming yet engaging and welcoming environment for students to learn.
Feedback from teachers and students emphasise the difference the new spaces have made to the enjoyment of learning and the facilitation of meaningful experiences for all.
Following a fire the Junior Learning Centre was developed to fully support the Reggio Emilia learning approach for 50 students and two teachers.
The Entering space welcomes parents to gather and support their children in selecting appropriate reading. A nook opposite the entry couch allows for a changing presentation and a display cabinet respectfully showcases individual’s work.
The Building space enables the students to actively construct their understandings with social interaction. There are smaller spaces connected to this larger space for reading and reflection. The glazed area between the two larger spaces is a couch-in-the-round with the ability to close a sheer curtain to provide some privacy while maintaining supervision.
Learning though play is supported by the Moving space with a stage for performances. There are whiteboard faced cupboards with data projection and a small dress up store room with a Punch and Judy opening. The use of curtains enables easy space division. The space can be changed simply from a formal learning space to an active space with easy to handle low level furniture.
The Creating space is accessed from both these areas and supports creative play with a cooking and wet area with easy access to materials. This is linked to the undercover verandah space where both art and food preparation is undertaken with vegetable planters and a wash down sink. It can be enclosed by large external curtains to provide an outdoor room or an outdoor stage facing a grassy bank.
Talking is an enclosed tiered space for direct delivery with whiteboard cupboards and data projection. This space can accommodate all students if necessary for presentations, didactic delivery, and skills based teaching.
There are various other different social and learning settings including relaxing couches and an acoustic box for Meeting with whiteboard walls for brainstorming. Externally the landscaping provide opportunities for experiential learning with balancing logs, water play, grass mounts, sand pits, wet and dry creek beds and vegetable planters.
