This exciting development will incorporate the old Albert Park Signal Depot and Drill Hall heritage buildings, alongside modern new facilities including a double-storey classroom building and gym.
Design and development of the school was overseen by a New School Planning Group made up of parents, educational experts, project planners and representatives from the community.
Architects Gray Puksand have worked closely with Heritage Victoria and their own advisors to retain and make best use of the existing buildings.
Reusing the heritage buildings provides a great design opportunity to showcase the area's history and offer students a unique learning setting.
The repurposed Drill Hall will house four ‘learning communities’, a Learning Resource Centre, a dedicated art/science/technology space, specialist music areas, a flexible exhibitions space and a student canteen.
The separate Mess Hall will contain the reception, leadership and administration areas. Existing West and East Houses will also be opened up for learning facilities.
A new double-storey learning communities building will host a variety of spaces for learning and collaboration, as well as a large outdoor educational space.
There will also be a new gym with a competition grade netball/basketball court with seating, that could also accommodate whole-of-school performances.
All facilities have been designed with an environmentally sustainable approach. New insulation will be used in the ceilings of the older building whenever possible.
The school will be installing 2500L rainwater tanks to each of the residences and to the Drill Hall. These will be utilised by the school for toilet flushing and irrigation.
New buildings will be naturally ventilated with openable windows, or using outside air fans or mechanical services where this is not possible.