Dandenong South Primary School Junior Centre is a modest project making a big impact, winning Best Primary School Project at the 2017 Victorian School Design Awards last night. It is the project’s third award for education design.
Converting a former gymnasium – a deep-planned, barnlike building – into a comfortable and functional series of purposefully design spaces for different learning activities was indeed a challenge. And just the kind of challenge we relish! Openness, flexibility and connectivity are at the forefront, balanced clearly defined spaces and a high regard for acoustic tolerances.
Principal Leonie Fitzgerald and her school were clear that a contemporary progressive learning environment was key – what great project is there without a great client?
Pictured is the project team (L-R): Miranda Holt (senior interior designer), Laura Ulph (project architect), David Tweedie (project director), John Graeson (senior documenter) and Paris Murphy (project leader). Not pictured: Alex Ray (design leader).