Canberra Grammar School Primary School Building

The project replaced two outdated buildings with a new primary school facility on a constrained and operationally complex site. Key challenges included steep topography, existing circulation for student drop-off and pick-up, proximity to adjacent buildings, and the retention of two regulated eucalyptus trees.The brief evolved from eight to twelve classrooms with expanded administration and a new entry sequence, requiring resolution within a tight program and Design and Construct procurement model. The challenge was to integrate these competing demands into a coherent building that supports contemporary learning while maintaining continuity of school operations.

The design embeds the building into the site, aligning with existing campus levels while maximising access to natural light. A curved brick form responds directly to two retained eucalyptus trees, generating a sheltered courtyard and defining the building’s identity.Classrooms are organised around shared, flexible learning spaces that support both focused teaching and collaboration. A new reception and administration area establishes a clear and welcoming entry. Landscape and building are integrated, with the ground plane adjusted to introduce daylight to the lower level and accommodate overland stormwater flow, resolving environmental and functional requirements within a single, coherent response.

The project has significantly improved the quality and capacity of primary school facilities, delivering 12 new classrooms and purpose-built administration spaces to support a growing student population.It establishes a clear identity and point of arrival for the primary school, strengthening engagement with students, staff and the wider community. Light-filled, connected spaces support contemporary learning and enhance the daily experience of students, encouraging collaboration and a sense of belonging.Durable materials and passive design strategies contribute to long-term performance and reduced maintenance, ensuring the building remains a valuable and enduring asset for the school.

Curved brick building form shaped by the retention of two significant eucalyptus trees, integrating landscape and architectureReconfigured primary school entry, creating a clear and welcoming arrival sequence12 classrooms organised around shared, flexible learning environments supporting multiple teaching modesStrong visual connections between learning spaces to support collaboration and passive supervisionIntegration of building and landscape to respond to steep topography and manage overland stormwater flowLight-filled interiors with carefully considered orientation and shading to improve comfort and usabilityUse of durable, contextually appropriate materials aligned with the existing campus characterPassive design strategies informed by thermal modelling, including solar orientation, shading and performance of the building envelopeDelivered within a Design and Construct framework, maintaining design integrity while responding to budget and program constraints