After the floods in the Northern Rivers back in February and March 2022 that caused extensive damage to several schools, Modscape + Modbotics was engaged to design and build six new flood resilient schools for School Infrastructure NSW, including the Empire Vale Public School.
This award-winning educational facility, built using 27 volumetric modules and 7 roof cassettes, combines functionality with adaptability to meet the needs of modern learning. It features 3 general learning spaces, a collaborative learning common, and a multi-purpose area, providing flexible environments for teaching and group activities. A canteen and Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) offer spaces for social interaction and outdoor learning, while the library serves as a quiet space for study and exploration.
The school was designed with the capacity to withstand possible future flooding events. Key resilience measures include raising the core school facilities 3 meters above ground on a steel gantry structure, using durable materials throughout, and designing ground-level amenities that are easy to clean and restore if inundated with water.