2023 LEAD Awards Winners

The 2023 Learning Environments Australasia Design (LEAD) Awards closed on 23 February, with the 18 judges reviewing and assessing the 95 projects.

Judges were selected from the 27 nominations received. These nominations were all from excellent potential judges; and selection was based on a range of factors including: location, gender, experience (at least one “new” judge is allocated to each panel, whilst the Panel Chair has previous LEA Awards judging experience) and the individual’s professional experience. Six panels, with three judges each, were allocated to judge the entries, including the overall judging panel which selects the overall winner of the awards.

Thank you to the following people for volunteering their time and expertise in judging the awards this year:

John Augeri (Japan) | Deb Aukland (South Australia) | Sam Aukland (South Australia) Michael Bailey (Queensland, Australia) | Eamon Broderick (Western Australia) | Madison Ducat (Queensland, Australia) | Andrew Duffin (NSW, Australia) | Kellee Frith (Victoria, Australia) | Emily Gilfillan (Victoria, Australia) | Karen Jebb (Victoria, Australia) | Mark Khoury (NSW, Australia) | Vicki Leo (Victoria, Australia) | Cassandra Naccarella (NSW, Australia) | Emma Parkinson (Victoria, Australia) | Chris Scoble (Victoria, Australia) | Elliet Spring (Victoria, Australia) | Lucia Uribe Perez (Victoria, Australia) | Elly Wallace (Victoria, Australia)

The winners and commendations were announced on Thursday 18 May 2023 during a dinner presentation at the 2023 LEA Conference – re:Activate, in Christchurch, New Zealand.

All entries have been previewed on our Social Media these past few months. During the conference, posters of the awards entries have been exhibited in the foyer. Conference attendees have had the opportunity toe come by to have a look and say hello. All entries can also be viewed on the 2023 LEAD Awards Gallery.

Congratulations to all the winners and commendations, and sincere thanks to the entrants for taking the time to share their projects.

Download the 2023 LEAD Awards jury citations for winners and commendations

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2023 CONTEMPORARY LEARNING SPACES BOOK

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OVERALL WINNER
Genesis Christian College Primary Learning Village and Concept

Youngs Crossing Road, Bray Park, Queensland, Australia
ARCHITECT: McLellan Bush Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andy Macpherson Studio

Genesis Christian College Primary Learning Village is an exceptional education project that showcases a thorough approach creating a vibrant, modern and student-centric educational facility.

The project’s outstanding value is evident in its spatial delight and simple interventions, which are clearly a product of careful re-imagining, alignment of the education vision with practical outcomes, and strong engagement from both the College and Design Team. The initial requirements were clearly defined from the outset and the Education Vision was constantly reviewed to ensure that the project supported the college’s educational philosophies.

This highly successful adaptive re-use project is also seen by the judges as a sustainable and cost-effective model for the wider Australasian region. Practical challenges of the existing fabric have been reframed as opportunities for new learning spaces, and it is evident that the architects went beyond the brief to ensure that the building was working hard to deliver on the Education Vision in every aspect.

The strong visual connections between spaces put ‘learning on display’, aligning the spatial outcomes with the college’s philosophy of fostering a sense of community and belonging for all students. This approach to equity and inclusion is embraced and celebrated with the use of cleverly zoned spaces where colour and materiality changes are employed to great effect.

Overall, Genesis Christian College Primary Learning Village is an outstanding educational facility that sets a benchmark for future projects. The robust briefing, consultation, and design approach is coupled with an innovative approach to low cost, sustainable, and adaptive re-use, making it an inspiring example of what can be achieved through a strong collaboration between the college and design team.

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CATEGORY 1 – AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATION INITIATIVE

WINNER: Rosebud Secondary College – Wellness Centre, Eastbourne Road, Rosebud, Victoria, Australia
ARCHITECT: CO.OP Studio
PHOTOGRAPHER: AP Photo

The Wellness Centre at The Rosebud Secondary College is a small but significant insertion onto an established campus to provide unique care and wellbeing support for teenagers. The jury believed the innovation to invest in and create supportive spaces in this facility was outstanding.

The design is modest, efficient and evokes a natural response. It is inviting yet private. The warmth of its materiality is comforting and engaging. It provides spaces for retreat, counselling and wellbeing education. The central enclosed garden is calming and allows good natural light penetration and ventilation.

All involved in the project have addressed a sensitive subject giving it due regard with an equally sensitive design outcome providing excellence in physical and emotional support.

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CATEGORY 2: NEW CAMPUS WITH NEW EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

WINNER: Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Hawdon Street, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
ARCHITECT: Gray Puksand
PHOTOGRAPHER: Anthony McKee

The Greater Shepparton Secondary College is an inspired educational campus, where vision, determination, and rigour are evident in every aspect of its planning. The architects Gray Puksand are to be commended for their highly effective management of the project, as well as their ability to expertly curate the amalgamation of four existing schools onto one campus. Working alongside school representatives who were committed to finding the best possible outcome for all students, Gray Puksand created a remarkable achievement – a campus that fosters a sense of community, belonging, and wellbeing for its 2,700-strong student cohort.

COMMENDATIONS

Clyde Creek Primary School
Eliston Avenue, Clyde, Victoria, Australia
Architect: Kerstin Thompson Architects in association with McBride Charles Ryan

McKinnon Secondary College East Campus
South Drive, Bentleigh East, Victoria, Australia
Architect:  K2LD Architects

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CATEGORY 3: NEW BUILDING/S OR FACILITIES – LARGE

WINNER: Korowa Anglican Girls’ School – The Roslyn Otzen Sports & Wellbeing Centre, Ranfurlie Crescent, Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia
ARCHITECT: Sally Draper Architects in association with Mitsuori Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Trevor Mein

Summary Citation

The Roslyn Otzen Sports and Wellbeing Centre was tasked with delivering a new campus heart for wellbeing, supporting the school’s mission to support self-care, connectedness and healthy practices.

Biophilic design principles underpin the project, seen primarily in visual and physically connectivity with the outdoors. Social spaces provide opportunities for connectivity, while consideration for different approaches to social interaction ensures inclusivity.

The efforts to reduce waste an preserving the site’s assets were appreciated, evident in the retention of the existing pool basin, along with the significant benefit of retaining the high value oak tree.

It is a worthy recipient of the Category 3 award for New Buildings/Large, and a testament to the power of design to improve the wellbeing and learning outcomes of young lives.

Overall, the Roslyn Otzen Sports and Wellbeing Centre is a masterful integration of sports and fitness with positive lifestyle and social connectivity. The building provides a carefully resolved response to the competing needs for wholistic wellbeing, fostering a strong sense of belonging and support in an enduring architectural solution. It is a worthy recipient of the Category 3 award for New Buildings/Large, and a testament to the power of design to improve the wellbeing and learning outcomes of young lives.

COMMENDATIONS:      

Macarthur Anglican School – Warren Integrated Studies Hub
Cobbitty Rd, Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia                        
Architect:  Mayoh Architects

Meriden School – Greenhalgh Centre for Music and Design
Margaret Street, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia
Architect:  AJC Architects

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS) – Gymnasium and Events Centre
Keilor Rd and Rachelle Road, Keilor East, Victoria, Australia
Architect:  McBride Charles Ryan

Port Lincoln High School Redevelopment
Ruskin Road, Port Lincoln, South Australia, Australia
Architect:  Russell & Yelland Architects

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CATEGORY 4: NEW BUILDING/S OR FACILITIES SMALL

WINNER: St Cuthbert’s Early Years Centre, Corinna Road, Lindisfarne, Tasmania, Australia
ARCHITECT: Morrison & Breytenbach Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Adam Gibson; Gabrial Morrison

The St Cuthbert’s Early Years Centre designed by Morrison & Breytenbach Architects is a skilfully crafted facility that is inclusive, flexible and highly efficient; and which support’s the school’s pedagogical approach with students having a sense of belonging and agency over their own learning. The line between internal and external learning spaces is thoughtfully integrated with extensive landscaping and play zones. The building responds to the constraints of the site, encompasses environmental sustainability and compliments the child-centred pedagogical approach of natural learning through exploration, where the environment is the third teacher.

COMMENDATION:        

Niddrie Autistic School – Teaching Block & Nature Play Learning
Garnet St and Teague Streets, Niddrie, Victoria, Australia
Architect:  Guymer Bailey Architects

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CATEGORY 5: MODERNISATION – LARGE

WINNER: All Hallows’ School – The Potter Building Adaptive Re-Use Project, Ann Street, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia              
ARCHITECT: Fulton Trotter Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Scott Burrows

This project is outstanding in re-purposing a 1970’s 4-storey building by optimising its operational and commercial performance. Located in the heart of a busy heritage-listed campus the re-imagined building brings students of all ages and staff together in a range of spaces that contribute to their learning and teaching with an emphasis on health and wellbeing. The Potter Building seeks to redefine the role of a school library, includes multi-modal learning opportunities, and provides spaces in which students can gather, seek refuge, and share ideas.

This project also reflects the success in rigorous planning and stakeholder engagement to achieve a robust brief through evidence-based design.

The panel congratulates the school, community, and architects for achieving a high-quality outcome in providing a flexible and inclusive learning environment on a constrained site within a tight program.

COMMENDATIONS:      

Star of the Sea College – Heritage Wing
Martin Street, Brighton, Victoria, Australia                        
Architect: PMDL McGlashan Everist

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership East Melbourne
St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Architect:  DesignInc Melbourne

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CATEGORY 6: MODERNISATION – SMALL

WINNER: Genesis Christian College Primary Learning Village and Concept, Youngs Crossing Road, Bray Park, Queensland, Australia
ARCHITECT: McLellan Bush Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andy Macpherson Studio

The project is the modernisation of the primary precinct which is part of an all through school. There was evidence of a strong consultation and planning process leading to an outcome which has transformed outdated facilities and reinvigorated spaces to support 21st Century learning. Importantly, the architects not only held briefings with the leadership but also the teaching staff and students.

Goals were set to provide flexibility, transparency, connection with nature, improved amenity and comfort, and to create a village-like feel. From the resulting design the goals have been achieved. The jury had an immediate positive response to the variety of spaces that have been created and support for future focused learning.

COMMENDATION:        

Firbank Grammar Arts Precinct
Outer Crescent, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Architect:  PTID

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CATEGORY 7: SMALL PROJECTS UNDER $2M

WINNER: Silverstream School, Whitemans Road, Silverstream, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
ARCHITECT: Robertson Architects
PHOTOGRAPHER: Paul McCredie

The school’s approach to learning and their learning framework set a solid foundation for this project, and the depth of pedagogical consideration as a driver of design is very apparent. 

This project includes the refurbishment of a pair of Junior and Senior classrooms, as well as the construction of two new Senior classrooms. In all classrooms, the considered designation of space on both the ceiling and ground plane is very effective. Zoning for a variety of spaces has been achieved with floor and wall finishes, ceiling heights and profiles, joinery, and transparent wall elements, while maintaining passive supervision throughout.

Overall, this project is an economical, sustainable and transformative adaption that fosters and instigates independent and collaborative learning in a variety of connected learning settings. All elements of the design are purposeful, designed with intent, and link back to the school’s learning framework and educational vision.

COMMENDATIONS:

St Monica’s Primary School Refurbishment – Stages 1 & 2
Daking Street, North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Architect:   Alleanza Architecture

St Brigid’s Primary School – Learning Hub & Support Centre
Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace, New South Wales, Australia
Architect:  Alleanza Architecture

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CATEGORY 8: LANDSCAPING/OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA

WINNER: Geelong Lutheran College, St John’s Campus – Outdoor Learning Environment, Aberdeen Street, Newtown, Victoria, Australia
ARCHITECT: Minx Architecture
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rhiannon Slatter

The success of this project lies not only in the balanced integration of built form and natural playscape, but also in the clear educational vision that is evident in all elements of the design.

In terms of the natural playscape, the spaces are fully inclusive, biophilic, and the variety of spaces achieved in the project provides choice to the students for experimental and imaginative play. The covered structure is a simple but elegant solution that demonstrates complex thought and consideration behind its detailed design.

Overall, the design clearly meets the requirements of the educational brief and provides a very rich learning environment for the students.

COMMENDATION:        

St Thomas Aquinas Primary School – ELC Naturescape
Lhotsky Street, Charnwood, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Architect:  Paul Barnett Design Group

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2023 CONTEMPORARY LEARNING SPACES BOOK