Projects

Although a small independent primary school, Pine Community School has been steadily growing over the last few years and had outgrown the facilities of their 1970s weatherboard building. The Federal Government's "Building an Education Revolution" (BER) funding provided the means to expand the school.

The existing building, which consisted of three classrooms (one being very small), office, kitchen, bathroom facilities and covered outdoor space all housed under the one gabled roof, was in need of renovation. Originally constructed by the parents of the students, the school is a rustic building of rough weatherboards and aluminium sliding windows and doors. There was little sense of arrival to the building and little architectural character, although a past parent had generously and artistically painted a mural on both end gables that provided a playfulness to the building.

Riddel Architecture was asked to provide a scheme that included a new purpose-built library, office and store, as well as refurbishment of the existing building. The plan also included a new covered walkway/play area to give a sense of arrival. The new additions were to be modest and sit comfortably against the existing building, reflecting the relaxed and informal atmosphere between teachers and students.

Due to the tight boundary conditions of the site there was only one position in which the new addition could be located—at the very front of the building adjacent to the main access from the car park.

NEW EXTENSION
Located in a pocket of suburban bushland with tall eucalypts surrounding it, the school sits unobtrusively below the level of the main road and adjacent to an oval. In response to this rural-like location and the rustic nature of the existing building, the new addition utilises the rough-textured Shadowclad plywood with a neutral grey-brown stain.

The intention was to make the new addition harmonise with the original building while being obviously modern. The new roof was just an extension of half of the existing gabled roof creating a soaring skillion with the design of the new addition being a balance of the Shadowclad with Danpalon sheeting. Likewise the covered walkway is a balance between steel and timber elements. The exposed rafters, battens and metal roof sheeting at the eaves express the natural appearance of the materials and continue the organic and 'unrefined' notion.

It was also necessary to create a cultural balance in the building. Originally built by past parents and with a very strong sense of community within the school, it was important to recognise the colloquial nature of the existing building and respect it in the new architecturally designed portion. Since the tight site restrictions meant that the new addition had to cut across the front gable, the scheme allowed for the retention of the mural within the building and was even highlighted with lighting. This provides a sense of delight to the children and visitors who enter the library.

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