PLC Sydney’s new Junior School Hamilton Building, designed by NBRSARCHITECTURE, has provided a flexible and agile learning environment for this prestigious girls’ school in Sydney’s Inner West.
From the architect:
The vision for the design was to create a building that supports the educational philosophy of PLC Sydney while allowing students to interact with science and nature in a unique way. Principles of intimacy, openness and connection to the real world have been incorporated.
The new building provides a welcoming and joyful environment with 14 flexible class-sized learning spaces, four break-out areas and specialist STEM rooms. A new lightly tiered experience centre offers a heart of the College where students can gather and participate in group activities. Emphasis has been placed on adaptive spaces to widen the scope of teaching and to facilitate various learning modes.
To support the school’s desire to excel in STEM, and to provide connections to the real world, an immersive garden and playground has been created. The inclusion of innovative facilities such as an amphibian pond, invertebrate house and vegetable gardens offer safe opportunities for experimentation. These outdoor environments connect seamlessly with indoor learning spaces and are a natural extension of the classroom.
The introduction of a purpose-built Gateway Building incorporating PLC Sydney's main reception area and administrative centre for the College, has enhanced the neighbourhood context and created a sense of arrival for visitors.
"The result of the design is a triumph," says Dr Paul Burgis, principal of PLC Sydney.
"One telling indicator of its value is the raucous joy with which it has been received. The girls love learning in it and the parents celebrate the community of learning that results."
