Award for 2009 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work
Producing architecture for government schools is difficult, despite the best intentions of all involved. Budgets are extremely tight, timing is short and government processes can be mystifying. In this highly constrained context PHOOEY has developed a scheme that insists that wit and ambition have a role to play in educational buildings, while also meeting pragmatic requirements.
The scheme proposes bringing the silhouette of the Sydney Opera House to suburban Melbourne, courtesy of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution program. While the jury was slightly bemused by this move, we were also intrigued by the bravado and commitment demonstrated - why shouldn't a Melbourne suburban school have its very own Opera House?
The scheme uses limited means to cleverly expand the educational spaces and opportunities of an existing school hall. Wrapping the hall in a new screen facade generates useful and engaging intermediary spaces. Offcuts and waste materials are reused to form an entry archway. The striking new elevation and the offcuts gateway combine to lend a strong visual presence to the school and the facility.
Jury Citation
Special Mention
Parkhill Primary School
PHOOEY Architects
Clark, J (ed) 2010, '2009 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work', Architecture Australia, January/February, p 102.
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