Meadows Primary School is a proudly multi-cultural school in Broadmeadow, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Project 12 was commissioned to create a new 10-classroom building for 200 additional students, that incorporates support spaces, consultation/wellbeing rooms, staff work areas, student and staff amenities. As part of the project, a range of learning spaces throughout the campus were also upgraded to offer separate classrooms, flexible teaching spaces and consultation rooms to better meet the school’s needs.
From day one, Project 12 worked closely with the school to understand the specific academic, social and emotional requirements of its students and broader school community to ensure the design and proposed works best support their needs. Consideration was given to 71% of the student population recognised as having English as an Additional Language (EAL), students with refugee status (6%) and limited exposure to formalised schooling and may have experienced traumatic events in their lives. The design solution included rational, calm, secure learning spaces and way finding features with sensitivity to acoustics, ample space for display of visual learning aids and the ability for classrooms to operate in discreet and collaborative learning modes.
Project 12 Architecture worked openly, collaboratively, and effectively with the School, VSBA and consultant team throughout the project, delivering the New Classroom Building in less than six months. The school has been occupying the New Classroom Building since April 2022 with an overwhelming sense of pride in the welcoming spaces for the school and broader community. The school has confirmed that the new teaching environments are providing calm and positive spaces which are already improving student outcomes, seeing students more engaged and more connected with their peers.
| Type | Educational |
|---|---|
| Location | Broadmeadows, Victoria |
| Country | Wurundjeri |
| Site Area | 2.18ha |
| Building Area | 1270sqm |
| Completion | 2022 |
Awards
2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Educational Architecture – Commendation
2023 Dulux Colour Awards – Public and Hospitality – Finalist
‘At Meadows Primary School, Project 12 Architecture puts the needs of their client first and foremost – providing rational and calm architecture that fosters student academic, social and emotional requirements. In doing so, they have created a simple and elegant outcome that puts the school’s needs before design ego. The well-crafted exteriors are balanced with a hard-working internal plan. The corridors quietly delight with playful use of color and natural light. There is integrity in the approach throughout, and the result is highly commendable.’
Jury Citation,
2023 Victorian Architecture Awards,
Commendation for Educational Architecture
New Classroom Building
Learning Centre
Meadows Primary School is a proudly multi-cultural school in Broadmeadow, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Project 12 was commissioned to create a new 10-classroom building for 200 additional students, that incorporates support spaces, consultation/wellbeing rooms, staff work areas, student and staff amenities. As part of the project, a range of learning spaces throughout the campus were also upgraded to offer separate classrooms, flexible teaching spaces and consultation rooms to better meet the school’s needs.
From day one, Project 12 worked closely with the school to understand the specific academic, social and emotional requirements of its students and broader school community to ensure the design and proposed works best support their needs. Consideration was given to 71% of the student population recognised as having English as an Additional Language (EAL), students with refugee status (6%) and limited exposure to formalised schooling and may have experienced traumatic events in their lives. The design solution included rational, calm, secure learning spaces and way finding features with sensitivity to acoustics, ample space for display of visual learning aids and the ability for classrooms to operate in discreet and collaborative learning modes.
Project 12 Architecture worked openly, collaboratively, and effectively with the School, VSBA and consultant team throughout the project, delivering the New Classroom Building in less than six months. The school has been occupying the New Classroom Building since April 2022 with an overwhelming sense of pride in the welcoming spaces for the school and broader community. The school has confirmed that the new teaching environments are providing calm and positive spaces which are already improving student outcomes, seeing students more engaged and more connected with their peers.
| Builder | Alchemy Construct |
|---|---|
| Landscape Architect | Simon Ellis Landscape Architect |
| Photography | Rory Gardiner |
