Projects

Projects

Balcatta Senior High School Redevelopment

Balcatta-High-1
Balcatta-High-2
Balcatta-High-3
Balcatta-High-4
Balcatta-High-5
Balcatta-High-6
Balcatta-High-10
Balcatta-High-7
Balcatta-High-8
Balcatta-High-9
Balcatta-High-11
Balcatta-High-13

Awards

2022 Australian Institute of Architecture WA Chapter – The Hillson Beasley Award for Educational Architecture – The Named and Highest Award in the Education Category

2022 Master Builders Association Western Australia Construction Excellence Award – Best Education Building $20million to $50million

The redevelopment of Balcatta Senior High School consisted of 3 separable portions. Separable portion 1 entailed the demolishment of the existing performing arts building and the construction of a new café and North block building. Separable portion 2 consisted of the demolition and construction of the existing Design and Technology. Separable portion 3, was the demolishment of the existing science block and refurbishing all the old existing school blocks namely A, B, S and Centre Block with associated external hard and soft landscape works.

During refurbishment works to the existing school swimming pool, it became evident that the swimming pool had some structural concerns. This required to cast a new concrete pool within the existing pool and carry out associated works.

Significant works carried out involved the construction of a 4 storey North block requiring us to install auger piles in to the Southern embankment and excavate for the basement sports hall. Construction of the project within the required time frame necessitated zone C and A to be constructed simultaneously, infilling zone B once a significant amount of work in those zones had been carried out. The North block consisted of a sports hall, associated changerooms/bathrooms, performing arts/dance, 8 science laboratories, administration floor, general learning classrooms, toilets, plantrooms and staff rooms. Some finishes included a curved copper ceiling, perforated hoop pine ply ceilings, prefinished CFC, colour through equitone cladding, and scuplform timber slats wall cladding.

Separable portion 3 presented a challenge as the School requested early occupation of some newly constructed blocks as space had become a premium, this involved close communication with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of all students, staff and tradesmen.

Completion was achieved in April 2021. All stakeholders were satisfied and thankful for the cooperation with the schools requirements.

 

CLIENT:
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE – BMW

ARCHITECT:
HASSELL STUDIO