pRIMARY SCHOOL, CABOOLTURE

The Master plan addressed the management stages with student numbers predicted to grow from 180 to over 300. Our response to the brief was to ensure the Montessori principles of “beauty”, “order” and “accessibility” were integrated in the design. For improved accessibility, we created a meandering path through the school that linked passive and active spaces with the major playground. 

The classrooms and multi-purpose rooms are placed at the edges of the school allowing the central play areas to expand. The art pod is a pavilion which is a recognizable node and acts as a zone for way-finding thru the site.

The distinct character of the new art pavilion connects back to the classrooms through a deck that frames a small courtyard. This area becomes a gathering space at the entrance of each classroom.

The key elements of our design, was to plan a new classroom building incorporating the Montessori principles, existing context and construct-ability. 

Our concept was a two storey, lightweight timber classroom that blends with the existing buildings. The design integrated diversity of spatial arrangements allowing the students to undertake a variety of activities within the classroom without a separation. An open plan design encourages a myriad of activities to be held in different spaces with children moving freely through the entire area. Interconnection of classrooms allows for shared facilities, good visibility and improved supervision.

An amenities block extends out to the landscape which is incorporated with a timber screen that acted as a filter. This is a inspiration from the riparian vegetation at the edge of the adjacent lake.