The new Junior School building at St Luke’s Grammar School, Dee Why provides flexible creative learning spaces for 360 pupils, complementing the completed work on the Middle School and Hall undertaken by TZG over the last 10 years.

Carefully developed within the envelope of the NSW complying development Education SEPP, the four-level building focuses on a lively north-facing open atrium, surrounded by balconies providing active outdoor learning spaces as well as linking circulation. The open-plan flexible learning spaces for K-6 provide facilities for group activities, presentation, collaboration and individual work. Large sliding screens open each space to the atrium, where craft creation areas join small-group outdoor learning. With commanding coastal views, the rooftop garden is connected to a 40-pupil Early Learning centre and staff facilities.

The high-performance envelope is faced with no-maintenance pre-finished panels, enlivened with pop-out bay windows giving pupils ‘snapshot’ beach views whilst allowing generous internal pin-up and writing surfaces. The subtle external colour palette contrasts with the vibrant atrium balconies, where sinuous balustrades define entries and teaching zones.

Externally, a sequence of active and quiet play areas maximises the usability of the site, whilst allowing easy supervision and generous landscaping. The project was fast-tracked to meet the development program of the adjoining campus and welcomed its complement of students in 2020.

Photography: Brett Boardman