The design team began the challenge of developing a model school for both an urban and rural site. Flexibility was key.

Our "Big Idea" centered on a concept which allowed for the simple expansion and ‘plug and play’ strategy that would ensure the design was suitable for a number of conditions and orientations. This design soon developed and offered great potential to integrate sustainable principles within the school design. A central spine was developed which allows for the “plugging in” of new elements. These can be changed depending on location and size. The central communal space was also used to separate boys and girls. Flexibility continues with the interiors, which offer varying formal/informal learning spaces for different class sizes as well as shared spaces used by all age-groups, encouraging student interaction.

Controlling heat gain while maintaining sufficient levels of daylight was another major concern and a variety of solutions were utilised such as skylights and alignment of buildings to avoid direct exposure to the sun. An example of the dramatic expression of these issues are the large, bright green, vertical louvres that face several elevations in one of our concepts.

A key element in the design was the ‘Eco Courtyard’, a flexible space at the heart of the school partially covered in PV panels which offers natural light to the spaces overlooking the court.

A stand-alone installation in the courtyard known as the ‘Eco-Tree’ is used as an external elevated science lab where students can learn about planting, harvesting and composting encouraging them to explore the practical benefits of growing plants and recycle them.