International Grammar School-Bibliotheque
14 Jun 2022
Delegates were inspired by the story and vision of International Grammar School. The school began in 1984 and created quite an international story with the Founder Professor Reginald St Leon introducing languages to the curriculum. He was passionate about ensuring that students left school at least bilingual.
The school is quite unique as in essence as it is an inner-city school with a difference. It is in the heart of Ultimo and is situated behind the Old Dalgety Woolshed with the heritage listed façade integrated into the current site. It also had a period in the “Factory Dungeon “of the Elizabeth Arden Factory in Paddington.
Twenty years ago, the school was reimagined with its first strategic plan and is growing from strength to strength. In essence IGS is Sydney’s first high rise school of five stories.
The delegates were delighted with the viewing of a video prepared by Year 12 students as a farewell gesture to the school. It truly demonstrated the students love of the school and the opportunities that had been afforded them because of their parents choosing to send them to IGS.
BVN have worked with the school and have been integral to the strategic plan. In 2021, they entered the Bibliotheque design into the NSW Awards and took out the award for best renovation/modernisation under 5 million.
The Bibliotheque is the heart of the school and a place of enchantment. It has opened up the space, making it a place of joy and place to just be for staff and students. It includes in its design a gathering space in the amphitheatre, hidey holes, reading tunnels, a pond to look down to the entrance; as well as bringing the outdoors in with a conservatory and outdoor balconies. It is flexible in its design and a place of welcome and belonging for the community.
As BVN values the post occupancy feedback to inform future designs, we look forward to seeing what’s next or maybe in the future visiting the site in person.
