NSW Chapter: Meriden School + Dr Nici Sweaney

The first 2025 event of LEA’s NSW chapter brought together around 80 professionals from the fields of built environment and education to attend a site tour of Meriden School in March.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the newly completed Greenhalgh Centre for Music & Drama (GCMD), designed by AJC. Thoughtfully integrated into its site in Strathfield, the building served as a fitting backdrop for an intriguing conversation with Dr. Nici Sweaney that preceded the tour.

Dr. Nici Sweaney's talk delved into the world of AI. Her journey from a PhD in butterfly ecology to AI consulting is fascinating, sparking her interest in data and algorithms. After 17 years in academia, she transitioned to AI, focusing on ethics, data analytics, and responsible tech.

In late 2022, Nici had her "Aha" moment with ChatGPT, realising its potential to transform education and society while raising important ethical questions. A key focus of her work is addressing gender equity in AI, advocating for greater representation of women and minorities in tech development.

Her vision of exploring the intersection between physical and digital spaces - blending technology, space, and equity - sparked deep reflection and left the audience pondering new possibilities.Following such a fascinating conversation came the site tour with the Dean of Music and the architects who paved the way through inception, ideation, and the timeless building itself.The GCDM building plays with the idea of music and musical instruments through its curated forms, textures, patterns, and rhythms. The design eloquently expresses its purpose, serving as a powerful example of innovative design, collaboration, and creative problem solving on a constrained site.

As visitors move through the space – from the timber tiered seating and limelight music studios to the choir rehearsal areas and cleverly integrated instrument storage - each element contributes to a sense of narrative. Layered ceilings, a sculptural clef-like staircase, and rhythmic balustrades further enrich the experience, giving a unique sense of story narration through architecture.We thank Dr. Nici Sweaney for highlighting the possibilities of AI, the school for offering us the opportunity to tour their facilities, AJC for sharing their design process, LEA and the sponsors for organising the event. As the field of education evolves, it is vital for us to collaborate, learn, and create the best possible environments for learning.

Article + Images by: NSW Chapter Committee