Frankston Heights Primary School

Additional Info

Award Winner : Fleetwood Building Solutions

Architectural Excellence : Replacing dilapidated “permanent” facilities, the new education “hub” incorporating general learning areas, library, canteen, reception and administration spaces now provides the school with a sense of address, arrival, and functional learning spaces which support contemporary teaching practices. Consideration of the school master planning allowed the building’s informed design to extend an existing circulation spine through the school, terminating in a protected assembly area created by the negative space generated by the building, this amenity is further enhanced and framed with the generous decking arrangement, creating integrated outdoor learning areas.
Vibrant colours celebrate the energy of the school community, reinforcing it’s identity. The building was constructed off site in 27 modules (1061 sqm), which were then separately transported to site and installed incorporating onsite brickwork into the build to create the look and feel of a traditional build.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : We took an initial brief for 2 buildings and proposed 1 to increase efficiency and connectivity between students, teaching and administration staff. The ability to deliver a holistic solution that bridged the gap between indoor and outdoor learning and play environments was also a key driver to the success of the project and provided several cost efficiencies, which in itself is a sustainable design approach. The solution meeting more than one brief, i.e.; the canteen can also be used as a home economics and event catering asset (through servicing the assembly area and juxtaposition to gathering areas and learning spaces) and the library’s ability to be partitioned to create effective dual use, library and general learning area mean the project has delivered maximum functionality for minimal cost imposts. Adopting this design approach magnifies the inherent cost-effective outcomes of offsite modular construction.

Green Building Description : The bespoke design addresses several performance-based questions when it comes to various “green” areas such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort and natural daylighting. With superior ventilation, generally being drawn in from shaded and sheltered outside areas optimises the automation of services throughout the building when necessary. Also, providing adequate levels of ventilation to classrooms throughout. Designed to wrap around on itself to maximise the north and south facing windows. The north facing windows provide good daylight levels that flow into the building from multiple directions, passive design principles such as overhangs reduce problems of overheating during summer months, regulating climate control and overall energy costs. The use of natural materials such as ply in the entry foyer fosters a sense of warmth and tranquillity setting visitors and students at ease with the new hub encompassing an open and light atmosphere across each space.

Occupied Date : 8/16/2018

Production Start Date : 3/5/2018

Project Location City : Melbourne

Project Location State Name : VIC

Technical Innovation : Future proofing and flexibility are the keystones of the project’s innovation and sustainability outcomes, extending the project’s useful life. Permanency is imparted through the incorporation of detailing to allow seamless integration of offsite prefabrication and hybrid construction techniques including elements of site built brickwork. Other demonstrated measures to meet project sustainability include addressing the client brief for a small replacement canteen facility and then engineering a deliberate design that ensured the facility could effectively facilitate opportunities for home economics classes and events catering. This also demonstrates innovation in the design layout to address these various functions within the one space. The library area has been specifically designed to allow maximum flexibility with the ability to partition off a dedicated general purpose learning area as required without compromising the library areas functionality.

Total Square Feet : 1061

Category : Permanent: Education: over 10,000 sq. ft.