Parkhurst State School

PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL - RESOURCE CENTRE

PROJECT TEAM

Client: Queensland Government / Parkhurst State School

Architect: Arkhefield

Contractor: Built

Masonry sub contractor: Westons Bricklaying

Brick used & manufacturer: Austral Bricks, Symmetry Brown

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Parkhurst State School resource centre transforms an ordinary brief, an ordinary site, and a standard government issue floor plan, into an inspirational and dynamic environment. The project was built under the federal government's BERS school programme, where the schools were required to work within the framework of a predetermined building type, plan, and limited materials choice.

The school's vision was to create an engaging space for twenty-first century learning, not a traditional classroom environment. The building expression also sought to transform their campus image, currently defined by shed-like lightweight, transportable building typologies, into a contemporary, innovative environment.

Face brickwork was an important ingredient for his transformation to imbue a sense of craftsmanship, permanence and quality, currently lacking in the campus buildings. The textural qualities of the brickwork provide a finer grain of detail experienced up close along the verandas, and provide a foil to the bold red polycarbonate screens. Elaborated brick patterning provides sculptural relief around the main public areas and enhances the human, crafted qualities of the brickwork.

The brickwork has been carried through into seating walls, planters and steps to create a unified crafted and textured frontage within the landscape at the edge of the public realm.