Victoria
This project, a classroom building for Altona North Primary, is the first of a four-stage redevelopment of the school. As the first step towards a complete transformation, the design responds to the school’s careful approach to change, the appreciation of its existing spaces, and a desire to capture its legacy.
Our design reconfigures the plan of the building it replaces – the ubiquitous Light Timber Construction (LTC) building – providing flexible teaching spaces for classroom and group learning. Each classroom space is different, shaped by a roof that transforms the LTC’s cross-section into a veil like roofline, referencing the sawtooth shapes of factories that once surrounded this mid-20th century suburb.
Externally, brickwork from Altona North’s demolished houses are returned from a Tottenham brickyard and re-laid behind the roof canopy. During the day this canopy provides sun-shading to the classroom interiors, into evening the softly lit brickwork is revealed behind its perforations.
It has been a great pleasure working with Workshop Architecture, they worked with students, staff and community to explore our needs and wishes. Their design incorporated building materials from the local area, enhancing the significance of our community connections. The building has significantly enriched many aspects of our school, including the capacity to deliver programs such as STEAM, Scaffolding Maths, Literacy Intervention and Extension. Our students and staff are taking great pride in the new building and are showing a sense of satisfaction in our new school environment. We love the creation, it is perfect for Altona North Primary School.
Jacqueline Tang, Project Architect
Simon Whibely, Design Architect
William Heath, Project Architect
Acoustic Consulting Australia, Acoustic Consultant
Akritidis Group Building Consultants, Building Surveyor
Harlock Consulting, Quantity Surveyor
Michael Smith & Associates, Landscape Consultant
MJA Consulting Engineers, Services Consultant
OPS Engineers, Structural Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
