Birkenhead College

Master planning and design for a number of projects on the site have included science classrooms, redevelopment of the Theatre and Music Suite, a new Gymnasium, staff facilities, and library.

A substantial addition to an existing gymnasium and swimming pool which provides the college with a second gymnasium, fitness centre, change rooms and administration offices. The centrally located offices have almost full perimeter views over the gymnasiums, fitness centre and swimming pool. The new gymnasium incorporates a sprung southern blue gum timber floor with a unique sub floor ventilation system. Rain water is collected for re-use in toilets and solar water heating panels are available for heating the showers.

In 2010 an existing theatre was reconfigured to accommodate additional audience capacity on a flat timber-sprung floor stage model, which provided maximum performance and practice space. Surrounding corridors and classrooms have been redeveloped to provide back stage facilities space during performances.

Environmentally a low speed high volume ventilation system provides supply air at low level under the tiered seating and extract through high-level roof ventilators. Elsewhere in the college rainwater is collected for field irrigation and solar hot water is used to preheat showers. Ongoing consultation throughout the project, beyond the core project group, required presentations to be made to music staff and the Board of Trustees.

Master planning provided a growth strategy for the school with the theatre and music suite completing a ten-year plan. We are currently working with the school towards a new master plan, which will involve the rationalization of a number of older under- utilized buildings and the re-roofing and upgrade of their permanent teaching blocks.

The refurbishment of the existing Library space included a mezzanine addition. Careful consideration was given to line of sight observation and activity type on the mezzanine.