Elwood High School

Additional Info

Award Winner : Fleetwood Building Solutions

Architectural Excellence : An architectural centrepiece, the dedicated Year 11 and 12 hub for the school is a contemporary three-storey building that pushes the boundaries of perception around design for modular construction. The main building and adjoining administration wing have been designed as a school extension to blend harmoniously and create a new “permanent” look and feel. Delivering resilience through design, a collaborative process ensured the project maximized the value proposition of the new building. Structural and spatial solutions from contemporary learning environments to a library and Educational Resource Centre “hub”, allow this modular building to adapt to the changing future needs of a vibrant, growing school.
The masterpiece was constructed offsite using 15 modules (770 sqm), separately transported and installed on site. Integrating outdoor learning spaces and decking areas, the learning environments are linked with new social settings to support education and wellbeing.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : The catalyst for offsite construction procurement for this project was the inability of traditional insitu construction to deliver a cost-effective solution.
Working directly with the school and in conjunction with a significant government agency, the project validated the pilot demonstration of the high-quality design and built form outcomes that can be achieved through prefabrication and modular construction.
The adoption of a mass-customization strategy yielded a cost-effective manufacturing platform approach, tailored to the project brief. The outcome is architecture without compromise that delivers a high calibre spatial experience which is fit for purpose.
Efficiencies in the supply chain were harnessed through this approach, also maximizing the use of local materials, certainty and control over supply and material provenance.

Green Building Description : Located at the eastern end of the site, the new building acts as a unifying link to other nearby learning environments, with an architectural statement that provides amenity and a sense of termination to the school’s eastern boundary. Use of natural daylight is optimized within the building to maximize student outcomes, while also reducing the dependence on artificial lighting and hence reducing power consumption.
The building was designed with an understanding of the inter-dependant relationship these things have, e.g. daylighting, fenestration and solar gain. 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. The integration with existing, and creation of new outdoor learning opportunities, maximizes the opportunities afforded by Melbourne’s benign climate.

Occupied Date : 9/1/2019

Production Start Date : 1/15/2019

Project Location City : Melbourne

Project Location State Name : Victoria

Technical Innovation : Maximizing the established benefits of offsite construction, time, quality and cost, the project also explored further opportunities to leverage other innovative practices. The deliberate evaluation of construction and factory build tolerances ensured a seamless delivery and installation process.
At the project’s start, the existing physical, ecological and cultural setting of the building was examined. The design celebrates its context and blends harmoniously with its surroundings. Through sustainable design principles a small environmental footprint was created, whilst showcasing best design practices and creating an efficient, low maintenance building.

The sustainability focus is maintained by incorporating fundamental passive design principles and extended through the offsite manufacture and procurement process, supporting a whole of life philosophy to building delivery. Clear benefits delivered include reduced waste, controlled environment construction and speed of constructi

Total Square Feet : 770