Schooling Up

CATEGORY
SpecAdvisor Education Project Award 
ENTRANT
Southbase Construction 
PROJECT PARTNERS
CO-STUDIO (Architect/Designer), Southbase Construction (Construction Company) The Building Intelligence Group (Engineer)

About The Build:

This community-focused initiative saw a new primary and intermediate school built in Queenstown, designed to accommodate 600 students. It was designed to be flexible, with a multi-purpose hall, administration block and separate teaching spaces for intermediate and primary students.

The development reflects a concerted effort to integrate the school buildings within the social fabric of the community.

The project’s success can be attributed to eff ective collaboration and meticulous planning. The topography required a month’s worth of earthworks to level and prepare the building pads, resulting in the removal of over 12,000cu m of material from the site.

Good teamwork allowed the project to be delivered within a tight deadline, adhering to the allocated budget, and without delays.

Judges comments:

Built in a new settlement on the outskirts of Queenstown, this new primary and intermediate school acknowledges the community’s vibrancy. Catering for 600 students, it also provides for the local community outside of school hours. 

The site comprises a school hall, an administration block, an intermediate student teaching space, and a two-storey teaching space for primary students.  A unique addition is the “hole in the wall” café with a barista on-site.  This is open at school drop off , encouraging parents to mix and mingle.

Construction waste was reduced, and a third was recycled and repurposed. A large amount of excavated soil was removed and repurposed on an adjacent site. Good collaboration and planning with other trades enabled the project to be delivered to a tight deadline, on budget, and on time.