It was a cold day, but we made the trip to Torquay College to meet with the principal, Pam, as well as the Manager of Planning for the Surf Coast Shire to discuss our new project : a 10-12 school extension of existing Torquay College.
Firstly, we met with 3 grade six students to see what they would want from a senior high school. Although this was a hard task, considering they were looking 4 years into the future, we did get some useful feedback from them.
A common factor was climate control for the rooms. It was discovered that not all classrooms had air conditioning and became rather hot during summer. This doesn't necessarily mean that we need to pump the rooms with high energy using AC units, but we should address passive cooling techniques as well as orientation of any classrooms.
It was interesting to hear how environmentally conscious the school and students were. The first student we interviewed talked us through the vegetable garden and chicken pen that provides the students a hands on learning experience.
Following these interviews, we were addressed by Pam. It was quite interesting to hear about the process in which the school went through when it came to choosing a design for the 7-9 buildings that are currently being constructed. Pam was able to justify some of the components of a perfect school that were missing (size, operable walls, etc), putting it down to government restriction. She also mentioned the name Prakish Nair, who is influential in designing for education. I stumbled across this video on Youtube that I found rather intriguing.
Following the Q+A session with Pam, we were given a presentation from the Manager of Planning for the Surf Coast Shire. Brydon provided us with a planning perspective of what the Shire would want. He discussed future population growth, zoning as well as planning controls and the Shire's support of a school extension.
After his presentation, we were taken on a tour of Torquay College, experiencing the classrooms first hand. I was a fan of the communal centre concept that was implemented in the classroom buildings. We were led through the school, eventually ending up at the Shire Offices, our site for the 10-12 school. We were given free range for about half an hour to explore the site, absorbing as much as we could of the climate conditions, existing buildings, etc.
It will be another tough assignment, with plenty to consider, but I'm sure it will be an interesting journey.
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness."
- Frank Gehry
"A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight."
- Robertson Davies
"Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light."
- Le Corbousier
About Me
Name: Dallas Andrew Home: Australia About Me: 3rd Year Architecture student at Deakin.
Work part time at Jackman Design gaining some industry experience. See my complete profile
