North Melbourne Primary School Stage 1

It's not often that a whole community is invited to contribute their two cents to the design process of an upcoming project. You only need to look as far as Camden on the outskirts of Sydney and the proposed development of one of the country's largest Islamic schools to see that often the only contributions are in the form of protest. But the architects behind Stage 1 of the North Melbourne Primary School redevelopment were only too happy to collaborate with neighbours and community groups, reflecting the firm's dedication to an interactive design process.

As the first of two stages of implementation of a master plan for the school's upgrade, Stage 1 features a new library and staff administration building, as well as a staff parking lot and a relocatable cluster of general purpose classrooms (GPCs). Stage 1 is well thought out and cleverly executed with a sensitive design that preserves the site's 1874 heritage building. This existing structure was largely responsible for the collaboration between the architects and groups like North and West Melbourne Association, who made it clear, as did nearby residents, that the building was a local landmark, and should be treated as such. The architects were respectful in their remodelling of the building's east and central wings for GPCs, art, music and ancillary uses, and in its remodelled form, the building has been restored to its original floor plan. Where possible, its heritage features were maintained, with new interventions like partition walls and lintels purposely differentiated from the Victorian fabric in detail and colour. With careful treatment, the architects have managed to successfully combine heritage and contemporary architecture.

The brief called for a considered approach to the reconfiguration of existing spaces, as well as the design of new ones with little impact to the environment; the preservation and creation of open space; the maximisation of natural light and ventilation to classrooms in the new building; and the development of a new entrance to the school. In response, the architects reconfigured the school's existing building to make larger classrooms, bigger rooms and a single-loaded floor plan that allows for daylit and cross-ventilated teaching rooms. The architects made use of ecologically sustainable materials like solar gas boosted hot water tanks, rain water tanks for urinal and toilet flushing, T5 light fittings controlled by movement sensors, and they even planted a new tree for every one that was removed. The school's new entrance is now located in the new building and accessed from the street. Even the reception desk has undergone a makeover, sporting a bright polka dot veneer that makes for the kind of cheerful atmosphere associated with primary schools.

As for space, this is at a premium, the architects having designed three zones: the north hardstand and a grassed oval for the older children, and a southern hardstand and soft areas for the little ones. Even when Stage 2 is complete (now under construction) – which will see the addition of a new gymnasium and after school care building – the school will be abundant with open space. With 460 students on a 1.54 hectare site, the master plan makes no mistake about preserving this space, with the new buildings kept to the edge of the site in a long, narrow arrangement stationed to the north of the heritage building, and forming (when Stage 2 is complete), a U-shaped enclosure around the hardstand play area. With open space playing a vital role in the remodelling, the students at this school are treated to vast play areas, and those notorious out-of-bounds nooks and crannies are few and far between. These careful considerations are evidence of the architects' intention to provide an exemplary school, and responding to all requirements of the brief, it appears that they've passed with flying colours. +