2019 Victorian School Building Authority Awards - Best Primary School
Providing a best-in-class facility in contemporary, flexible learning opportunities for Victorian primary school students is what Fairfield Public School strives to do.
For this purpose, VSBA required a specifically designed education hub to replace an outdated building on a minimal footprint with time, efficiency and safety. New learning environments for grade 5-6 students plus staff and administration facilities were constructed with modular design, a two-storey building of 700 square metres total delivered within a week.
The incredibly time efficient outcome that was achieved enabled minimal disruption to school operation and ensured occupancy and use as soon as practical.
Thoughtful NBRS design increased learning setting options by setting up agile transitional spaces intended to maximise modalities for learning and socialising. The unique building plan also opens up on the ground floor to a column free walkway with tiered seating, providing function as an informal outdoor teaching space.
Naturally daylit learning environments lead to higher comfort, productivity, and concentration for both students and staff, and so were achieved through the façade screening design and window orientation. This simultaneously reduced energy demand along with low energy fittings and high spec thermal insulation for sustainable building design.
All the while, NBRS has taken extra care to ensure respect for the heritage of the site. The new design does not deter or mimic the existing heritage of Fairfield Public School.