Balwyn High School
Additional Info
Award Winner : Fleetwood Building Solutions
Architectural Excellence : Showcasing architectural excellence and colour, the senior school features bright, contemporary double and triple-storey buildings that push the boundaries of modular design and construction. The modular masterpieces replaced contaminated buildings, seamlessly integrating with the existing school library to create a new “permanent” look and feel. Delivering height and flow through design, a collaborative process explored the limits of modular design to deliver outstanding benefits and utility for students and staff. Creating elegant structural and spatial solutions for modern learning, administration and faculty environments allow these spaces to adapt to the changing future needs of a growing, dynamic school.
Constructed off site in 72 modules (1,500 sqm), which were separately transported to site and installed, the new structures smoothly blend indoor learning spaces and flexible learning areas with new social settings supporting further learning opportunities.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The catalyst for the project’s procurement through offsite construction came about due to the urgent need for safer facilities along with the inability for the project to be practically completed through traditional insitu construction. Located within the inner sanctum of the school the project included extensive demolition to the legacy facility during the school calendar with minimal disruption to student learning.
The result is a leading education environment consistent with the high-quality education spaces expected by the Victorian Education system, delivered by local Victorian businesses supporting Australian local industry and jobs.
Our long term local supply chain ensures we have greater certainty and control over the on-time delivery and material provenance assurance needed, protecting natural resources through managed and accredited schemes.
Project design, services, structural systems and construction methods used satisfy the high benchmark standards of the National Co
Green Building Description : The project was located in the school’s hub and would act as a unifying link to other school buildings on site (including the school library), delivering an architectural statement that provides amenity and a sense of termination to the school’s eastern circulation.
Optimizing natural daylight within the building maximizes learning outcomes for students, while also reducing the dependence on artificial lighting and thereby lowering power consumption. Mechanically monitored fresh air ventilation ensures constant air quality and student comfort while acoustic specific materials and linings ensure minimal disruption from external noise.
The building was designed with an understanding of the inter-dependant relationship these things have, e.g. daylighting, fenestration and solar gain. Further, the building access walkways, ramps and stairs are designed to meet both a functional requirement and “create” and “frame” outdoor learning areas and spaces for refuge and social connection.
Occupied Date : 12/15/2019
Production Start Date : 3/15/2019
Project Location City : Melbourne
Project Location State Name : Victoria
Technical Innovation : Fleetwood worked closely with Brand Architects to propose a prefabricated OSM solution to resolve twin key project hurdles; significant site access and existing built environment constraints. This project procurement solution had the added advantage of greatly reducing disruption to student learning, maintaining operational continuity in a school proud of its high performance. A proven track record of design collaboration between the two organizations was a fundamental driver of the project’s success.
Materials and finishes selected were a considered response to the project brief, budget and site context. Working collaboratively, material specifications and choices were chosen to deliver health, safety, quality and environmental benefits, to enhance students and teaching outcomes.
A well-crafted project outcome delivering the offsite prefabrication “value” proposition of certainty through quality control, time, cost, value, reduced waste, and environmental sustainability was met.
Total Square Feet : 1500