Ultimo Public School Competition
- BVN & Takaharu Tezuka Architects
learning°
Ultimo Public School is located in Ultimo, Sydney. The design competition for a new campus was commissioned by the NSW Department of Education in 2016. The scheme submitted by BVN & Takaharu Tezuka in collaboration with 360 Degrees was awarded second place.
Size: 5,400m2
Budget: N/A
Scope: Design Competition
1. Activated central play and gathering space (above left)
2. Main entry at Quarry and Jones Streets (below left)
3. Scale model of rooftop learning spaces (right)
Scale model
The integration of nature as a core daily experience for school
users is a cornerstone of the design.
Landscape Masterplan
Site Section
Climatic variations enhance the senses as students hear tree
leaves rustle in the wind, and watch as they change colour
in autumn and fall in winter.
Programatic Design Response
Design Statement
The proposed Ultimo-Pyrmont Public School is a new precedent for school design. It does not look or feel like a school designed for an industrial model of learning - it is founded on contemporary pedagogical thinking.
Key to our design is diversity, choice and agility. Teachers and students have choices in types of spaces which meet their learning and teaching needs. Teachers are no longer restricted to singular classrooms, as learning clusters combine three to four classroom spaces together. The clusters encourage collaboration, and for teachers and students to collectively curate their learning within the school. There are no corridors – the efficiency of the design means that every part of the school is for learning.
Every space in the school is connected to the external environment. A green landscape is woven into the planning so there are vistas of leaves outside windows and around every corner. Constantly changing shadows from trees enhances connection to nature, brings cool air into learning spaces, and creates a calming and peaceful environment improving student well-being. School landscaping connects the green of surrounding parks. The school will become the link between Quarry and Wentworth Parks and generate new activity in the local community.
Our design creates a place for students, teachers, staff and the school community to come together, explore learn and grow.
