From an “environmental arts hub” adapted from two heritage buildings to a multipurpose performing arts centre housed in a former jail, the best school designs across Victoria have been recognized at the 2017 Victorian School Design Awards.
Conducted by the Victorian School Building Authority, the awards were open to architects and principal designers of government schools completed between January 2015 and June 2017.
Six Degrees Architects was the most successful practice, taking out two awards, while five other practices were also awarded across a total of seven categories.
The winners are:
Junior Learning Centre, Dandenong South Primary School designed by Hayball.
Image: Emily Bartlett
Best primary school
Winner
Junior Learning Centre, Dandenong South Primary School – Hayball
Finalists
Morwell Central Primary School – ClarkeHopkinsClarke
Wodonga West Children’s Centre, Wodonga West Primary School – NOWarchitecture
Science and Maths Centre, Vermont Secondary College designed by Kneeler Design.
Image: Mark Farrelly
Best secondary school
Winner
Science and Maths Centre, Vermont Secondary College – Kneeler Design
Finalists
Engineers’ Precinct, Castlemaine Secondary College – Y2 Architecture
Junior School Building, Whittlesea Secondary College – Maddison Architects
Mernda Central P-12 College – Clarke Hopkins Clarke
Image: Rhiannon Slatter
Best combined school
Winner
Mernda Central P-12 College – Clarke Hopkins Clarke
Finalist
Senior School Building, Alamanda College – Brand Architecture
Media Hub, Albert Park College designed by Six Degrees Architects.
Image: Simon James
Best school project below $1 million
Winner
Media Hub, Albert Park College – Six Degrees Architects
Finalists
Hazel Glen Scout Hall and Community Activity Centre, Hazel Glen College – MINX Architecture
Inclusive Space Special Purpose Pod, Huntingdale Primary School – Harwyn
Environmental Arts Hub, Albert Park College by Six Degrees Architects.
Image: Simon James
Best school project between $1 million and $5 million
Winner
Environmental Arts Hub, Albert Park College – Six Degrees Architects
Finalist
STEAM Innovation Hub, Hazel Glen College – MINX Architecture
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Senior Secondary College designed by Y2 Architecture.
Image: Peter Clarke
Best School Project above $5 million
Winner
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Senior Secondary College – Y2 Architecture
Finalists
Coatesville Primary School Redevelopment – ClarkeHopkinsClarke
Newbury Primary School – Brand Architects
START (School TAFE Alliance for Regional Training) Trade Training Centre Chisholm TAFE, Frankston Campus designed by Gray Puksand.
Image: Mark Duffus
Ministerial commendation for best example of inclusive design
START (School TAFE Alliance for Regional Training) Trade Training Centre Chisholm TAFE, Frankston Campus – Gray Puksand
The Victorian School Building Authority was founded by the Andrews government as part of the 2016 budget to oversee the construction of all new government schools, as well improvements to existing schools.
First held in 2016 after a five-year hiatus, the annual school design awards aim to “acknowledge the creative contribution that architects and designers are making to a new wave of school design across the state.”
The 2017 Victorian School Design awards ceremony was held on 8 November at Zinc, in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
To see the full list of finalists and winners,head here.
