Australian education is a dynamic and growing service market – currently ranked the third largest provider of education to international students in the world, behind the US and UK.
Renowned for world-class resources, facilities and teachers, it’s no surprise 253,757 new students arrived in Australia last year to study, with the country’s learning facilities continuously advancing.
At Gallagher Jeffs, innovation within this sector has been a long-term specialty; our team’s experience spans nearly two decades across 77 learning facilities.
Below, we’ve curated some of the more innovative education projects we’ve delivered with excellence, working as a natural extension of each project’s development team.
With Australian cities denser than ever, a new wave of ‘vertical learning’ has swept our major capital cities. One of Melbourne’s private schools and co-educational providers - Haileybury, has set the benchmark by successfully repurposing a 10 level commercial office building in the CBD, into Melbourne’s first vertical school.
Expected to cater for up to 800 students, the CBD campus is an alternative option for parents working in the city and/or students living within Melbourne’s growing inner-city. The school’s unparalleled proximity to Melbourne’s finest cultural institutions and sporting facilities enables students to benefit from a ‘real world’ approach to learning.
Full completion is expected in late 2018, with ELC, primary and some secondary classes already operating. The remaining classes will continue to be staged.
The recently completed Roy Hoult Centre Extension at Caulfield Grammar School, was designed by Hayball Architects, with the intent to provide a sustainable and innovative design.
The new learning space continues to support the innovation of student-led education and will provide students and staff with multi-use learning spaces, new staff spaces, science rooms, a media and recording studio, seminar and presentation rooms, outdoor learning and breakout spaces.
What’s unique about the Roy Hoult Centre Extension is its creation using pre-fabricated modules, built offsite by contractor Prebulit Commercial. This construction methodology reflects the same building strategy adopted by Caulfield Grammar School, for the A4LE award winning ‘Learning Project’. The modular facilities typically require less time for planning and construction, resulting in reduced disruption to students, staff and teaching programs.
View the time-lapse here.
Innovation is a term that’s often misused. It’s commonly misrepresented to describe a shiny new product, however one that lacks depth with regards to ingenuity and distinctiveness. However, there are occasions when inspired ideas do come to fruition, are genuinely clever. Mentone Grammar School’s Creativity Centre is an exemplar project.
The Centre was developed to transform the school’s performing & visual arts, technology and senior school facilities. Designed by Kneeler Architects, the innovative design incorporates a 450-seat theatre, visual arts studios, recording studio, active learning zones and courtyards, as well as a spectacular gallery space. The Centre will facilitate a new form of pedagogy, nurturing partnerships, originality and high performance.
The Community Open Day was celebrated on 4th June 2017.
Designed by Morton Dunn and built by Resicare, St Patrick’s $6.7M contemporary facility will provide accommodation for 78 students in a space that embraces technology and nurtures collaboration to help create a sense of community. Planning was meticulous with due consideration given to every component of a boy’s boarding experience, including study habits, sleeping routines, downtime and meal time. The school also provides families with flexibility, with an option to board for as little as two days per week.
Completed on-time and awarded PC in December, the new learning development was ready for the 2018 school year. You can view the time-lapse and see how boarders reacted to their new home here.
New Aquatic Centre: Yarra Valley Grammar School
Yarra Valley Grammar’s new Aquatic Centre was designed to incorporate an indoor 25m x 12m Pool and Wading Pool with tiered seating. The facility also includes a reception area, staff room, stores, offices, change rooms, plant rooms and associated car parking on-site. The Centre provides students with an opportunity to balance health and fitness / sporting pursuits, with their academic endevours.
Co-developed with the Paul Sadler Swim School, the purpose-built centre commenced operations in November 2017.