Niddrie Autistic School
Guymer Bailey was engaged by the Niddrie Autistic School to design a new teaching block and playground for their Niddrie Campus. To help prep students on the autism spectrum transition back into the mainstream school system, the early learning area has been designed to engage students and encourage greater individual participation.
The design balances engaging group learning areas with private retreat zones across all spaces to accomodate students who feel over stimulated or require attentive care. Classrooms, resource rooms, multi-purpose spaces and auxiliary areas have been also been designed to be flexible and respond to future staff and student needs.
Student safety and comfort was a key priority through the design, which features one central access point, new sensory supports spaces and new nature play areas. Passive supervision is maximised throughout all aspects of the design, with small classroom groups and one-on-one intensive learning opportunities prioritised.
Stage A works included the refurbishment and extension of an existing two-storey classroom block as well as the construction of a new covered walkway through the centre of the school.
PROCESS
The design balances engaging group learning areas with private retreat zones across all spaces to accomodate students who feel over stimulated or require attentive care. Classrooms, resource rooms, multi-purpose spaces and auxiliary areas have been also been designed to be flexible and respond to future staff and student needs.
METHODOLOGY
Student safety and comfort was a key priority through the design, which features one central access point, new sensory supports spaces and new nature play areas. Passive supervision is maximised throughout all aspects of the design, with small classroom groups and one-on-one intensive learning opportunities prioritised.
AWARDS
2023
ArchitectureAU
Award for Social Impact - Shortlist
2023
Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards
New Building/s or Facilities (Small) – Commendation
2022
Learning Environments VIC / TAS Awards
Excellence in Educational Facility Design – Overall Winner
2022
Learning Environments VIC / TAS Awards
New Building/s or Facilities (Small) – Winner
2022
Victorian School Design Awards
Best School Project $5 Million to $10 Million – Finalist
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
The Woiworung People
COMPLETION
2021
LOCATION
Niddrie, Victoria
CLIENT
Niddrie Autistic School
PROJECT CONTACT
PHOTOGRAPHY
Scott Burrows Photography
VALUE OUTCOMES
“GB-A were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team on site and in the office never cut corners and were committed to delivering a very high quality project.”
Jim Spainard, Golburn Enterprise
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology. Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy.
PRINCIPLES OF PASSION
During the design process, our project team not only considers the physical context of the designs but also examines the social and cultural context. Through every design, we look for ways to inspire positive attitudes, behaviours and emotional responses in people to encourage the responsible use of resources, increase cooperation among occupants, and communicate the values of society and cultural diversity.
Designing for a sustainable future is a core part of our organisational philosophy. Drawing on the knowledge from our Greenstar accredited team members and specialist consultants in environmentally sustainable design, we ensure our project teams integrate creativity with scientific rigour, to create designs that are conscientious of the natural environment and local ecology.
We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. We holistically evaluate environmental, cultural and financial sustainability in every task we undertake.