Preparatory School | Derek Raithby Architecture (DRA)

A glimpse of the multi-coloured panels from the street draws interest and creates a new level of appeal and curiosity in the buildings. Library Provision for a student library was a high priority for the school. Limited for space, the library needed to accommodate the School’s expanding book collection and provide a work space for student classes. The book collection was located along the outer walls of the library to provide centralized open learning space. Bright colours were selected for the library fit out to reflect the school’s exterior and encourage an interactive learning environment. Ecologically Sustainable Development As sustainability has become a widely recognized issue, the teaching of ecological practices has grown to be integral to the school curriculum. A number of sustainable development choices were introduced during the design phase that could be utilised as teaching material. The solar panels installed on the school building not only provide an energy source for the school but also the adjacent Church buildings. In times of surplus energy, the solar system feeds back into the electrical grid, providing energy savings for the school and church. As a teaching tool, the solar panels are utilised to inform the students about issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and methodologies for creating sustainable change. Additional energy saving principles were developed into the school design. Northern orientation with energy efficient glazing maximizes natural lighting to the internal learning spaces, the strategic location of windows provides cross ventilation reducing the need for artificial cooling. Artificial services such as lighting and mechanical services have been designed to work efficiently including automatic sensors (PIR control) which minimises wasteful use of electricity. Heritage Significance The School is located within the curtilage of the existing Church and the Church Manse both forming integral parts of the St Johns Uniting Church group. The group remains in a highly original and well maintained state and includes an excellent collection of high quality stained glass windows. The site is highly significant in the lives of Presbyterians and members of the Uniting Church in the area. The existing School building was built in the 1960’s and was a dull institutional brick building in conflict with the adjacent heritage buildings. The client’s brief was to adaptively reuse this building to provide a new contemporary building reflecting the character of the children but also sympathizing with the immediately adjacent heritage buildings. The windows of the church, designed by the well-known glass artist Norman Carter (1875-1963) formed the inspiration. The selection of building colours were inspired by the two main characteristics taken from a specific window. This included the margin and then the story inside the border including yellows, orange, reds, greens and blues. Following consultation with NBRS+Partners and the direct involvement of the Heritage Council of NSW they were then reconfigured to provide a bright, happy and engaging building delivering a contemporary reflection of a traditional art form. Consultant team GGF Architects were engaged by the client to act as the project architect and manage all consultants required to deliver the project under the Government’s B.E.R. program. Consultants were chosen based on their experience in education facilities and capabilities to perform under a short time frame. All consultants were engaged directly by the client. •Project Architect GGF Architects, Derek Raithby, Fiona Swan. •Builder Admire Build Pty Ltd •Planner Glendinning Minto & Associates •Heritage Advisor NBRS+Partners •Structural & Civil Eclipse Consulting Engineers •Hydraulic & Traffic Martens & Associates Pty Ltd •Electrical Engineer Crowley Consulting Pty Ltd •Fire Paramount Fire Consultants •Energy Partners Energy •Access Gordon Fuller •BCA BCA Insight