Ashwood High School by Content Studio | 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards

Описание: Ashwood High School by Content Studio | 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards

Educational Architecture

Wurundjeri

This series of projects by Content Studio for Ashwood High School completes the transformation of Ashwood College into one of Melbourne’s top performing high schools. It enhances the first stage of projects completed in the 2010s and fulfils the potential of the masterplan through the design of a new Senior School STEAM and Research Centre, the refurbishment of an 1980s-era industrial arts building, and the creation of a new school address on the main road (to be completed in 2024).
Ashwood High School is located on an open parkland site with porous boundaries, the Ashwood Wetlands to the south, and sports fields to the east. The projects take advantage of the parkland setting and work sympathetically with the existing landscape axis that organises the school. The design resolves the separation between the legacy industrial arts building and the school, interlocking landscape to learning spaces.
The new STEAM and Research Centre is a signature building for senior year students. Technology and science focussed classrooms encircle a double height atrium with views out onto the wetlands, the new library is both a place to study and to hold events. The atrium is a gallery exhibition and collaboration space for the visual arts, technology and science programs.

The siting of the building takes advantage of the existing topography with a 3m fall from north to south. The single level library faces north and a double height atrium and classrooms face south and look out onto the wetlands. The west façade follows the natural topography and the split level form exaggerates the fall to create a sweeping brick façade, which can be glimpsed through established cypress trees.

We converted the 1980s-era industrial arts workshops into art and fabrication studios. We added external circulation through a new veranda tying it to the new STEAM and Research Centre.

When complete the access road will cross the old course of the Damper Creek and skirt the Ashwood wetlands to High Street, creating a new address for the school. The entry has been designed to allow safe access by all forms of transport, it includes a bike path, equitable pedestrian access from the street, and a bus stop for PTV routes.

Content Studio worked closely with Simon Ellis landscape Architects to connect the new projects to the school’s existing network of paths. We created gathering areas outside the buildings, which were oriented to take advantage of the extensive tree cover, both for views and shade.
We’ve minimised the environmental and cultural impact by following the existing topography and retaining spoil on site for both building work and the access road. This approach ensures overland flows to the wetlands have not been disrupted.

The projects deliver exceptional amenity, 20 new classrooms, a new library, Fab labs and workshops, and a double storey gallery atrium, support an inclusive, student-focused educational environment.
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The Australian Institute of Architects Presentation to Juries offered entrants in the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards an opportunity to address judges with their nominated projects. Featuring some of Australia’s most prominent architects.

Presentation to Juries is a rare opportunity for the public to learn about the influences behind some of Victoria’s most innovative buildings and follow the architectural process from concept to construction.