Overview
The St. Bernard’s Learning Hub is a relocated and extended portable school building. ESD principles have been central to this project, through the re-use of existing buildings, solar screening and natural ventilation. Rain water is collected and used on site.
The dynamic expressed arched timber battens screen the teaching spaces of the learning hub. The timber screens reference the arched typology common of the neighbourhood and are used to span between new and old elements. The timber was chosen for its durability and low maintenance, and was designed to age gracefully. The Learning Hub interiors open out onto the large timber deck which provides an additional contemporary learning environment.
The timber battens allow for a controlled screening option that is cost effective, durable and low maintenance. The arched typology references those of the local context while creating a new softer language that knits the older portable structure to the new addition.
The contrast in texture between the external cladding and the timber screen in front accentuates and articulates the arched openings, drawing people into the building.
Structure
The use of timber in the St Bernard’s Learning Hub provides shading to the internal learning space, creating an improved thermal performance to the original portable structure. The timber screen wraps the Learning hub creating a series of shaded under cover spaces allowing for informal breakout spaces. The large timber deck acts as an external learning space which in turn optimises the building footprint efficiency. The timber screen has no VOC coatings and is designed to grey over time – an efficient, low maintenance product.
