International acclaim for Melbourne Educational Facility
24 Oct 2011
The Allan Pizzey building at St Michael's Grammar school, Melbourne, has received the prestigious honor of being acknowledged at the 2011 CEFPI International awards in Nashville Tennessee in September.
Designed by Architectus Melbourne, the new junior school and ELC building, was selected as one of 6 projects globally to receive the" Exhibition Award", which acknowledge the combination of design and educational pedagogy, at the highest level possible.
Influenced by Reggio Emilia, and the work of Mihaly Csikentmihalyi, and his concept of "Flow", the design aspires to foster relationships and provide enhanced connections between its occupants, in a physical, personal, and educational sense. Developing an educational environment to foster enhanced connection to the task at hand was one of the primary elements underpinning the design process. The school children's involvement in the design and construction phases created an atmosphere of learning, enquiry, and respect that all parties adhered to throughout the projects development.
John Wood. Director Architectus Melbourne.
"We have a learning environment that meets the exacting standards of our students, the pedagogical vision of our school and through strong partnerships with our architects, Architectus and the APM Group, we have evidence to support the notion that it takes a whole village to raise a child. We did face challenges, but we framed each challenge as an opportunity for learning and growth, and through this we are stronger, wiser, and more able learners. Our dream has become a reality and the end product has far surpassed even our expectations. We believe we have a new way of learning and living together in the Allan Pizzey Building.
Our new junior school building has presented us with the most exciting possibilities. How fortunate we are to be a part of something so new and unique that will challenge us to think, learn and wonder together."
Ms Annabelle Knight Head of Junior School, St Michael's Grammar School
Contact
john.wood@architectus.com.au
