primary school

location: north strathfield, nsw.
size: 4200m2
completed: 2019
photography: Brett Boardman
project: undertaken as project leader at BVN

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School is a new K-6 school for 420 students in North Strathfield. The design is a realisation of the school’s vision of creating spaces that invite imagination, innovation and support independent learning and student wellbeing. 

The project reuses a rundown 1970s three storey former Telstra training centre that was a typical institutional example of brutalist concrete architecture of its time.

Flexible, open and inviting learning spaces support the school’s vision. Classes are situated on either side of a central circulation spine which forms an extension to the learning spaces. The diverse range of learning options are supported by joinery with built in nooks and withdrawal spaces and a differentiation in ceiling heights. Furniture is movable, as are large sliding panels to allow easy reconfiguration of spaces by students to suit learning needs.

With a wealth of research in support of timber being used in learning spaces to promote wellness and better learning outcomes, the material has been used throughout internal spaces extensively both as finish and structure. The benefits suggest increases in concentration, productivity and decreased stress levels.

OLA is a model for sustainability through its innovations in construction by using engineered timber. The additions to the school feature Glulam, cross laminated timber (CLT) walls and a CLT acoustic ceiling flooring system. The benefits of using timber are high quality, precise and environmentally friendly construction, as well as long term wellbeing for occupants and an energy efficient use of the school. The exterior of the existing concrete structure and new CLT additions have been clad in a highly insulated, custom perforated zinc cladding façade with double glazed, airtight high-performance timber/aluminium windows.