The St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham hall and library were built with the Australian Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) economic stimulus package funding. The Government outlined two main objectives for the BER funding, to provide economic stimulus through the rapid construction and refurbishment of school infrastructure and to build learning environments to help children, families and communities participate in activities that will support achievement, develop learning potential and bring communities together. For primary schools, the Government outlined that the funding was for the building or renewing of large-scale infrastructure works with the priority on libraries, multi-purposes halls and classrooms. A small school of around 90 students, there was no school hall and the school lacked street presence. The school’s library and canteen were cramped and outdated. With the funding the school wanted to address all of these issues while still achieving a high quality outcome and dynamic learning spaces. The architect, engineer and builder worked together on this project to ensure a quality outcome within a limited timeframe and budget. The building programs were driven by the need to create strong connections with the existing school buildings. Internal spaces are ordered by requirements for light, ventilation and visual connection to key external views and areas. The new buildings engage successfully with the church and school grounds both through careful material selection, locally sourced where possible and through careful siting. The two buildings now bookend one’s passage through the school with the hall acting as gateway and the library as terminus. The project fully met the programatic requirements of the clients but exceeded their expectations by providing dramatic and uplifting spaces.

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Hall + Library at St Joseph's Primary School, Wingham, Australia

8, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

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Hall + Library at St Joseph's Primary School, Wingham, Australia

8, Farquhar Street, Wingham, Australia

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