Alspec window and door framing componentry helped meet the brief for open, adaptable and well-ventilated learning spaces at the Central Coast Grammar School in Erina Heights, NSW.
Adaptable, flexible and student-centred – this was the brief for this new school campus on NSW’s Central Coast. The Central Coast Grammar School was looking to add a new Junior School campus, which was more suited to modern teaching practices. The school is an independent, coeducational school with nearly 1300 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 on its rolls. Since opening in 1985 with just under 200 students, the school has evolved through a series of upgrades to cater for the growing student population; the new Junior School campus designed by architecture studio NBRS being the largest project to date.
Tasked with creating collaborative learning spaces, the designers aimed for flexibility where rooms and furniture could be easily adapted to the required learning environment. The campus was designed around three buildings tailored to the learning needs of three separate age groups (K-2, 3-4, 5-6) with each building connected to breakout spaces and age-appropriate outdoor play areas.
To make classroom spaces flexible and simple to adapt, Alspec ProGlide Ultra Flat sliding doors were installed for both internal and external interfaces. Functioning as both access doors and ‘openable walls’, the doors were configured with four large panels (one fixed and three sliding). The wide-spanning doors allow a classroom to expand into a larger open space when needed or easily close to create a more delineated environment, without compromising natural light.
ProGlide Ultra Flat sliding doors, named for their wheelchair compliant sill, provide a seamless transition between areas ensuring the spaces are accessible to all while removing any potential trip hazards for young feet. Excellent thermal, acoustic and weather performance is assured thanks to the sliding doors’ weather-resistant sill design and heavy-duty aluminium profile.
ProGlide Ultra Flat sliding doors were also used to connect the breakout and foyer areas outside the classrooms to the outdoor garden and terraced play spaces, again providing a flat and safe interface between internal and external floor finishes.
Above both internal and externally facing doors, sections of Alspec’s Hunter Evo flush glazed framing were combined with openable louvres to encourage natural ventilation at all times.
Alspec products installed at the Central Coast Grammar School included ProGlide High Performance sliding doors; Hunter Evo 150mm double flush glazed framing; and awning and casement windows, all in APO Grey Satin D1000 (GL107A) finish.
Photography: Vashner Muhi
