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PS Structures
Learning spacesREJUVENATED for 21st century education in Balcatta
The seamless juxtaposition of cutting-edge building design with the original heritage-listed post-World War Two complex has transformed the Balcatta Senior High School – and literally turned it on its axis. Boasting an impressive new entrance at what was formerly the rear of the site, the school has executed a 180-degree turn and now bravely gazes north to embrace a new vision of 21st century education.
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THE TEAM Photos SITEVISUALS
Phone: 9240 6744 www.psstructures.com.au
At the heart of the redevelopment is a strong emphasis on indooroutdoor connections and the relationships between structure, nature and human interaction. The synthesis of the innovative Hassel design and its precision execution by PS Structures, has resulted in a bold metamorphosis of the school that takes advantage of the dramatic topography and beautiful northern views.
The reinterpretation of learning and recreation spaces is the product of a design ethic that respected the existing heritage-listed 1960s-era architecture and the singularity of the site, integrating them into a clear, consolidated master plan to realise the school’s vision for an integrated campus and a rejuvenated identity.
“We are motivated by how the built environment can influence, support and enhance a student’s learning journey,” says Hassell principal David Gulland. “Balcatta Senior High School has a rich heritage, artistic and cultural history. This was a particularly rewarding project for our team to be a part of, with several unique features not common in all secondary schools.”
Blending heritage and modern The central feature of the design is the distinctive, new multistorey building that extends the strong spine of the existing school, reaching down the sharply sloping site to create a striking arrival
and vertical linkages to the established blocks. It is one of two new buildings and an extensive landscape architecture that were woven into the existing fabric of the campus during the two-year construction phase, which was completed in April 2021.
“This very particular site has been a hero throughout the design process,” Mr Gulland says. The main building leverages the opportunity presented by the steep fall across the site, allowing all functional areas, including some not previously universally accessible, to be serviced by a single lift. Visual overlaps of movement, views and natural light encourage activity and connection.
Heart of the school At the heart of the school is a new cafeteria and multiple courtyards created at the junction of existing refurbished and new buildings – a crossroads meeting point that emphasises the connection between contemporary and heritage without prioritising one over the other. A modern, lighter, steel-based “knuckle” design strategy informs this connecting element, creating a third component that celebrates the transition between new and old.
Three key drivers informed all design decisions, from master planning through to documentation: ■ Respect the existing context – heritage, site topography and urban context – while conveying the role of the school within the community ■ Create a new and cohesive identity across the entire site, extending new facilities and relocating the main entry to the more prominent, northern Amelia Street address ■ Connect the campus community by consolidating functional relationships between new and existing buildings, curriculum and landscape to improve circulation and access.
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From vision to built reality PS Structures has a long pedigree in the construction of education facilities, from schools to TAFE colleges. The firm was engaged in April 2019 to translate the architects’ vision for the Balcatta Senior High School into constructed reality. The building phase comprised three separable portions: demolition of the existing performing arts building followed by construction of a new café and north block; demolition of the existing design and technology block and construction of a new block with the same function; and demolition of the existing science block, combined with the refurbishment of four other existing blocks.
The most significant segment of the works was the construction of the four-storey north block, which required installation of auger piles in the southern embankment and excavation for the basement sports hall. As well as the sporting facility, this block incorporates the performing arts hall, eight science laboratories, an administration floor and general classrooms, as well as toilet amenities, plant areas and staff rooms.
Striking and uncompromisingly modern finishes are integrated into the overall design, including a curved copper ceiling and perforated hoop pine ply ceilings, as well as wall cladding materials ranging from colourful equitone and sculptform timber slats to the innovative use of face brick and block work.
Construction challenges The building team faced several challenges, mostly due to the site’s sloping topography, with separable portion 1 – the north block – proving the most demanding. Work on the north block was divided into three zones: A, B and C. Zone A required contiguous auger piles followed by a bulk excavation to cut out the hill to the north of the existing sports hall to enable construction of the new complex.
“This proved challenging, mainly on a program front, as the deep works had to be carried out first, with no other works able to proceed until the levels had been brought back up,” says PS Structures project manager Andrew Lea.
Pouring the cantilevered suspended slab over the front hill overlooking Amelia Street proved a further challenge, as did the discovery of structural issues in the 1970s-built swimming pool. This meant the pool, originally slated for minor refurbishment, had to be rebuilt within the existing footprint. The swimming pool has garnered a unique place in the revitalised sports precinct, sliding under the new building and providing beautiful, unexpected glimpses of deep blue water from a number of vantage points.
Zones C and A were built simultaneously in order to meet the project deadline, while the school’s request for an early handover of some blocks further tested the construction timeframe.
“The school had too many students for the space they had available and were bursting at the seams,” Mr Lea says. “This meant we had to work more closely with the schoolteachers and students than originally required. We worked with the school to ensure that the safety of all the students, staff and tradesmen was considered.”
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Balcatta High School Project Hospitality Total Services (HTS) is located in Applecross, Perth, Western Australia and works across a range of sectors involved in the hospitality industry, including mining, aged care, health care, hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and education centres-like Balcatta High School. In this project HTS designed a functional Production Kitchen and Student Café servery capable of catering to multiple cuisines, and a contemporary Food Technology Lab for students to train in commercial cookery, now and over the next 10 years. The Student Café included a Preparation Kitchen with carefully selected equipment to maximise menu flexibility and provide a range of cuisines from a compact space. Advancements in food technology in the equipment selected was mindful of ease of operation, minimising the need for highly skilled staff to provide great quality food. The Food Technology Studio presented a design challenge for universal access to be considered in the design, so that all students were afforded the same opportunity. HTS collaborated with the other FCSI consultants to develop an adjustable cooking station that allows wheelchair bound students an accessible station with clearance below and an adjustable work surface.
HTS Focus Working within an existing building always causes limitation in the workable area, particularly in kitchens where existing services locations need to be considered while achieving efficient workflows. When working in an existing space HTS focus on equipment, technology, and spatial planning to maximise the operational efficiency while aiming to mitigate capital works costs where possible for our client. Hospitality Total Services unique point of difference is our world class knowledge and experience of hospitality operation and design, giving our clients a world of knowledge from a local service provider. Mario Sequeira, Director of HTS, is the Chair of the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) Asia Pacific, the only recognised independent global foodservice consultant association. HTS call on the global knowledge and experience the FCSI network provides, along with our own expertise to ensure our clients receive cutting edge results, which we have refined over our 29 years as foodservice specialists.
