Woodleigh Homesteads
Project Details
Architects
Law Architects
Award
Commendation Category 6: Educational Landscape/Outdoor Learning Area
Address
485 Golflinks Road, Langwarrin South VIC 3911
Cost
$6,420,000
Project Overview
The process of ‘re-imagining’ the Woodleigh School learning environments required a deep understanding of ‘The Woodleigh Way’; the core ideas and philosophy underpinning the schools origins. Integral to the redesign was creating contemporary learning spaces that embody these values both in their pedagogical and built form.
Jury Citation
The Woodleigh School Homestead redevelopment is a response to the commitment to the natural environment. The school is unique, set on 20 acres, residing on the Mornington Peninsula. It is an independent progressive school with an emphasis on independent thought. A core aspect of the Homestead redevelopment is that they nestle into the bush landscape and contribute to the learning and connecting to ‘Place’. The outdoor learning spaces are an extension of the interiors providing flexibility and choice to suit the students’ needs. “The building’s ‘edges’ play a vital role in well-being. It is in these carefully crafted transitional zones, between being ‘in’ and ‘out’, we find places to connect, reflect and bee…. just like home”
The outdoor spaces reinforce the idea of a sense of belonging with the school and its wonderful surrounding environment. The choice and execution of material and form are at one with the landscape they sit in. The feeling of tactile materials, sensing seasonal changes, watching water run-off are all elements that should be experienced. Providing learning tools that show how mechanical systems operate and utilising recycled timber off-cuts and construction spoil are also important elements contributing to ‘whole of life cycling’.
The school should be commended on utilising the site to its best educational advantage and embracing the natural environment.
The process of ‘Re-imagining’ the Woodleigh School learning environments, required a deep understanding of “The Woodleigh Way”; the values and philosophy underpinning the schools origins. Opened in the 70’s, on a 20 hectare recently classified ‘Land for Wildlife’ bush property on the Mornington Peninsula, it is an Independent progressive school with an emphasis on independent thought.
Homesteads form the core of student life and underpin their unique model of Teaching and Learning- each building, a learning home for 70 plus students across years 7-10. The time for new Homesteads had arrived. A lengthy process of stakeholder engagement, and brief analysis was undertaken to ensure the spaces embody and foster Woodleigh values in their built form.
Fundamental to the programmatic working of the homesteads is the school’s motto “There is no growth without struggle”. The spaces are required to perform in many guises, challenging old and new teaching and learning approaches, whilst simultaneously instilling a collegial sense of belonging and ownership. The internal planning teamed with sliding walls and partitioning curtains generate a variety of contemporary learning settings. These settings facilitate and further the educational demands held by the school’s curriculum: connected, collaborative, varied, personalised and environmentally-focused learning. The concurrent workshopping and analysis carried out by The University of Melbourne’s LEARN Group research body, ensured the school’s pedagogical intent was manifested in the new Homestead’s planning and design.
The tactile nature of the materials – rammed earth, spotted gum timber, exposed concrete floors and rock – allow the bold gestures of the soaring truss roof, solid mass walls and folded iron spouts, to sit harmoniously within the landscape. Seasonal changes are welcomed and celebrated. Rainwater pours off folded steel spouts into open rock outcrops, flowing into overland swales, landscaped with indigenous and native flora. Moving through the spaces the scene is constantly transforming through strategically located windows and openings. The building’s ‘edges’ play a vital role in social wellbeing. It is in these carefully crafted transitional zones, between being ‘in’ and ‘out’, we find places to connect, reflect and be….just like home.
