THE Building the Education Revolution (BER) project at Guardian Angels’ Primary School, Ashmore, was chosen for a top state design award recently.
Staff and students were excited to hear their new Kombumerri Centre had topped the Building Designers Association of Queens-land’s Special Projects and Public Buildings category.
Kombumerri Centre designer Stuart Osman said the building faced tough competition, but the design of the Guardian Angels’ building ticked all the boxes the judges were after.
Mr Osman said the inspiration for the building came from the original brief he received from Brisbane Catholic Education Of-fice (BCEO) building services manager Gerry Conway and principal Terry Gimpel.
He said the idea was to use the natural profile of the land to provide the seating area and have the building wrap around in a fan-shaped auditorium.
“We put together the concept sketch plan which used these ideas and put them into practice with the four upper floor specialty classrooms, and the lower floor with the performing arts area, junior library and a special green room for movie production,” he said.
“A slight ramp provided access to the top floor for disabled students.
“The front facade with its feature panels, nine monitors and louvred panels gave it a modern, clean look, incorporated with the cantilever walkway roofs.”
Mr Osman said the building was a pleasure to design and he hoped the outcome and usability for both students and teachers would be enjoyed for years to come.
Guardian Angels assistant principal for administration John Cameron, who worked closely with Mr Osman, builder Mick Smith, from MJS Developments, and BCEO consultant Mark Middleton to bring the project to completion, said he loved being involved in the project.
“It was pretty exciting watching the building grow day after day and it was a very proud moment for everybody when the building was completed and opened for business,” he said.
