THE architects who designed St Stephen’s School, Algester, have been recognised with an international prize.
Brisbane based Fairweather Proberts Architects received a merit award at the international DesignShare Awards in September.
St Stephen’s opened in January 2005. Stages 1 and 2 have been completed and future stages will accommodate a total of 600 students.
DesignShare is an international forum for the promotion of innovation and excellence in education facilities.
“This elementary school has been conceived as a school in a park, which has the virtue of connecting it with the urban and social context,” said DesignShare review team member Dr Pablo Campos.
Classroom blocks are clustered around covered open areas, maximising the balance of open space on the site.
Open space has been modelled into smaller and larger play areas, each with a landscape theme.
Much of the existing vegetation, including locally significant species, was retained.
Two major pathways through the site provide access to all facilities.
“Although distinctive shapes and materials have been used, the scale and location of the buildings integrates harmoniously into the surroundings,” said project director Peter Dawson.
The new Junior Years Technology Centre (JYTC) at the school accommodates innovative aspects of the school curriculum and emphasises hands-on learning.
This new facility is the first such dedicated building for learning and teaching about technological literacy in the Queensland Catholic school system.
The aim of Fairweather Proberts Architects was to express the uniqueness of the Key Learning Area of Technology through the design of the building.
The school also has many features of environmental sustainable design.
The classrooms are designed to remain comfortable through the hottest Queensland summer, using angled aluminium shutters.
Stormwater is collected and retained on site with rainwater tanks and a system which filters collected stormwater before it is discharged to a local wetland.
These initiatives have an educational, as well as environmental function.
