Our Lady of Assumption
Catholic primary school, North Strathfield, NSW
CLIENT | BVN
SERVICES | Electrical, Mechanical & Audio Visual
LOCATION | North Strathfield, NSW
PROJECT VALUE | $35M
Our Lady of Assumption is a new Catholic primary school located in North Strathfield, NSW. Designed for a total capacity of 450 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. The building a 1970s former Telstra Training Centre was repurposed into this new school to accommodate population growth in Western Sydney.
The school was designed by architectural firm BVN with key design features to highlight the school’s emphasis on collaborative learning and high technology. The floor plan is divided into spaces with flexible joinery and movable screens that can be used to reconfigure spaces.
Photographic images usage with thanks to architects BVN and John Gollings Photography
Built-in sitting areas are hidden amongst shelves and wooden boxes that double up as seats are concealed artfully in the floor. ‘Withdrawal’ spaces for concentration and quiet time are also available for students and teachers. The ground floor brick façade has been replaced with timber framed double glazing to allow natural ventilation and influx of daylight and large bi-fold doors connect the internal learning space to the outdoor area, encouraging the children to openly venture outside.
JHA provided full design for electrical, lighting, dry fire, security, comms, audio visual and mechanical systems for the school. The works required a high level of detail in terms of integrating the lighting design with the special timber ceilings installed. Coordinating the lighting with the unique timber ceiling solution was a challenge, and special attention had to be focussed to make sure all elements were coordinated in detail with the ceiling services, as well as the existing protruding beams, ensuring the ceilings had a very clean and elegant look.
The end result has transformed the original aged concrete building into a beautifully designed serene space full of natural timber and light.
BVN Architects have won 3 separate awards for the design of Our Lady of Assumption Primary School:
1. 2016 Educational Facilities Award – Winner in renovation category over $2M
2. 2016 Australian Interior Design Award – Best of state in Commercial
3. 2016 Australian Interior Design Award – National Award for Public Design
It’s always satisfying, on completion of a project, to finally see how a design on paper translates to the finished build.
