Smalls Road Public School
Smalls Road Public School
Client:
Schools Infrastructure NSW
Location:
Ryde, Sydney
Status:
Completed, 2020
Traditional Custodians of the Land:
The Wallumedegal people
Contact Person:
Lawrence Toaldo
Smalls Road Public School is a significant new primary school situated on the site of the former Ryde High School. The project consists of 43 flexible learning spaces including a ‘Schools for Specific Purpose’ unit, library, multipurpose sports courts, hall, administration, and support facilities.
The architectural language establishes a bold, confident, forward-thinking identity for the new school. The circular form of the building recedes away from the front boundary, reducing the visual impact on the surrounding residential streetscape, while enabling much of the established landscaping to be maintained.
“This connection with nature and the outdoors is one of the most effective design outcomes in the finished school building.”
– Megan Gibbons, Principal, Smalls Road Public School
The architecture and landscape complement one another with the buildings’ colour palette reflecting the courtyard plantings, and the inner walkways and courtyard embracing the established mature trees.
Core facilities are arranged on the ground floor to maximise access from the street level. The welcoming, double-height library accommodates a reading room at the entrance and group activity spaces on the upper level.
The circular form of the building facilitates an innovative pedagogical framework that promotes curiosity and engagement across year level cohorts. Teaching spaces are organised as year level ‘Home Bases’ and share visual connections across the shared landscaped courtyard.
The ‘Home Bases’ are designed as clusters of four classrooms interconnected by flexible learning settings. These spaces include practical activity areas, traditional didactic teaching areas, group presentation rooms, withdrawal rooms, and outdoor learning areas. In addition, expansive areas of clear, open space enable the entire cohort of up to 120 students to gather and participate in large group activities.
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Client:
Schools Infrastructure NSW
Location:
Ryde, Sydney
Status:
Completed, 2020
Traditional Custodians of the Land:
The Wallumedegal people
Contact Person:
Lawrence Toaldo
