A number of innovative designs for Australian educational facilities have been successful at the 2015 Council of Educational Facility Planners Australasia (CEFPI) Awards, with projects such as a bi-lingual early learning centre in Melbourne and an alternative school in Noosa recognised.
Melbourne-based practice ClarkeHopkinsClarke stood out, winning three awards for two projects.
The Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences by the practice won the award for Education Initiative/Design Solution for an Innovative Program as well as the Overall Winner for the Australasian Region. The Melbourne school cost over $6 million to build, and opened in March 2014.
The school is a branch of University High School that is designed to cater for year 11 and 12 students who have a strong interest in science and mathematics.
A government grant supported the inclusion of a pilot project to maintain the air temperature in the building using a geothermal energy system, which is estimated to have saved the building’s running costs by 96 percent.
The Peoples Choice Award was won by TERROIR Architects for their project that transformed two 1960s buildings at a Sydney school.
The Emerging Chapter Award Winner was New Zealand practice Athfield Architectus for its $63 million campus hub and library upgrade at Victoria University in Wellington.
The Council of Educational Facility Planners Australasia is a professional association that aims to improve learning environments.
Full list of winners:
Emerging Chapter Award Winner: Victoria University of Wellington, Campus Hub and Library Upgrade by Athfield Architectus
Overall Winner for the Australasian Region: The Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences, The University High School by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects
Winner of the 2015 CEFPI Australasia Peoples Choice Award: Claremont College by TERROIR Architects
Category 1: New Construction, Entire New School
WINNER: Noosa Flexible Learning Centre – Fulton Trotter Architects
Category 2: New Construction, Major Facility
WINNER: Brighton Grammar Middle School –ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects.
Category 3: Renovation/Modernisation Over $2 Million
WINNER: FROEBEL Learning Centre – Steffen Welsch Architects.
Category 5: Education Initiative/Design Solution For an Innovative Program
WINNER: Elizabeth Blackburn School of Science, The University High School – ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects.
Category 6: Educational Landscape/Outdoor Learning Area
WINNER: Horsham Special School - Sensory Courtyard – Kneeler Design Architects and Jeavons Landscape Architects.