As a child, school was often the last place I wanted to be. I couldn’t bear the thought of another year in grade-school,
let alone conceive attending post-secondary. As an adult, however, education has offered me the most liberating and
rewarding experiences of my life. This is why creating a primary school that focused on fostering individuality and equality between
students was, and will continue to be, of utmost importance to me. By architecturally embedding pedagogical principles from Montessori and Howard
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory into the design of the school, the project ensures an environment that caters to the individual needs
of each and every student.
The classroom clusters (section) best illustrate these principles; students who are more socially inclined can joyfully communicate between
classrooms. The space created by lifting the clusters off the ground provides a covered outdoor learning area for students with a love for
nature. Visuo-spatial students have a field day exploring the elevational changes within the classroom, etc. Ultimately, the classroom design
is attuned to the learning habits of all students, ensuring it becomes a place where diversity is celebrated, potential is recognized, and weaknesses are approached with empathy.
The civic centre is designed to facilitate both public events and school programs. The building hosts a range of programs that further borrow from Montessori principles & MIT
frameworks, including public debate forums, public lectures, school assemblies, and a shared workspace that allows parents to remain close to their
children. The renders shown here convey both the civic and institutional identity of the school, as well as its quiet, restful spaces nestled
among trees and the forest-like scatter of columns supporting the clusters.
Location: Zetland, NSW – Cadigal & Wangal Country
Year: 2024
Tutor, Coordinator: Alex Seo, Nathan Etherington
Institution, Studio: University of Technology, Sydney, Studio 5
Result: High Distinction