St Jude’s Transportable Classroom Naturescape

EDUCATION

Transportable Classroom Naturescape

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Like many other schools in Canberra, St Jude’s responded to growing student populations and insufficient learning spaces by investing in a transportable classroom. However, unlike many other schools, they planned for a beautiful landscape to integrate the building with the rest of the campus. A long pathway leads from the main building and playground to the transportable, with a bridge joining the concrete path with the wooden deck. Steps on either side add another access so that multiple journeys can be made in, out and around the space. A dry creek bed winds itself around the side of the transportable and under the bridge until it ends up at the tiered stone amphitheatre.

The water harvesting system below the creek bed has escalated the growth of deciduous trees and native ground cover, prompting greenery to sprout up around the different sized rocks scattered across the hill. The transportable itself has a unique design, with colourful decorative circles matching the colours in the landscape, and many windows facing the outdoors. A large gum tree was preserved and continues to stand in between the two buildings. PBDG’s philosophy of enhancing sustainability, social wellbeing, and the connection between nature and the built environment is exemplified in each of their projects, bringing joy to today’s communities, and hope for future generations.