ROMA MITCHELL COLLEGE EXPANSION
Grieve Gillett Architects Photography: Richard Humphrys
Grieve Gillett Architects Photography: Richard Humphrys
Grieve Gillett Architects Photography: Richard Humphrys
Grieve Gillett Architects Photography: Richard Humphrys
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Department for Education, Project Co
Location: Gepps Cross, SA
Country: Kaurna
Value: $24M
Completion: 2021
Team
Paul Gillett
Nicole Dent
Kym Barwell
Amber Frazer-Jones
The Department for Education sought to expand two of the original 2010 PPP Schools to accommodate the transition of Year 7 students into high school for the start of the 2022 school year. Known collectively as Schools PPP2, Grieve Gillett
Architects (GGA) worked on both projects, one of which was a major expansion at Roma Mitchell Secondary College.
The identified user requirements included additional accommodation to allow for an increase of 100 students on the girls’ campus and 400 students on the co-ed campus for the transition of Year 7s. The initial master plan solution was to extend the existing buildings. GGA reviewed the plan and identified that the creation of a new girls’ campus, to allow for appropriate separation and minimise cross-over between the campuses, would provide a better outcome. A purpose-built facility ensured the best use of space tailored for end users and improves the interface between campuses. New Art, Science, Food Technology, Construction Technology and withdrawal areas were created.
Based on our consultation with Leadership and teachers, we tailored the learning areas to suit girls’ learning styles. The layout supports contemporary teaching methods, with open group learning spaces and breakout spaces for small group learning adjacent the classrooms. To unite the identity of the whole school, the new campus has been designed sympathetically with its surroundings and the materiality of the existing built form.
Meanwhile, the existing girls’ campus was repurposed to form part of the expanded co-ed campus and create a new senior campus. The scope included minor refurbishments of GLAs and performing arts to align with the overall upgrade.