DesignInc, in collaboration with Sydney based practice, Lacoste+Stevenson together with Paris based practice, bmc2 are pleased to announce that they have been appointed architects for the redevelopment of the Ultimo-Pyrmont Public School following an invited competition by the NSW Department of Education. Stakes were particularly high due to a three-stage procurement process, which received responses from 21 consortia worldwide to an open Expression of Interest for the project from which seven were selected to proceed to the Request for Tender stage. Five of these were selected to proceed to the last stage which was a Design Excellence Competition.

The consortium’s winning concept design was selected by a five-member panel of design, construction and educational experts assembled by the Department of Education.

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View of the library and informal learning spaces.

Student-centered learning was at the core of the design concept, which revolved around discerning the diverse needs of students and faculty, and the delivery of a range of teaching methods and pedagogical practices.

Sandeep Amin - Desk

‘It is an honour to be granted the opportunity to help shape the environment in which young minds can flourish and develop. Our vision for the new school is one that seamlessly blends imagination, learning and nature to enrich the students’ early learning journey,’ says Sandeep Amin, Managing Director of DesignInc Sydney.

Reflecting its esteemed status and importance to its location, the design concept also championed open community access to select spaces and facilities within the new school.

Through the design, we aspire to strengthen the bond of students and the community with nature, simultaneously breaking down the divide between classroom and playground with informal learning spaces,’ added Mr. Amin.

 

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View of Year 3-6 playground and homebases

The panel corroborated the winning concept was ‘…well-scaled, flexible, imaginative and appropriate to the stages of education and ages of children, with playful and creative architectural expression. The environmental design and performance was well-considered, the building is straightforward to build and maintain while still delivering a fresh and vibrant quality contributing to the advancement of the standard of amenity of early teaching and learning facilities in Australia’.

Jones Street View of the Main Entrance and Down Quarry Street

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For more information, please visit: http://ultimopyrmontps.com.au/announcing-the-architects-for-the-new-ultimo-public-school/.