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That was really the metaphor
we gave the architects from
the beginning – spaces for
possibilities.
SIMON GIPSON, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
North elevation reveals great pavement
and foot-traffic connection with organic
study/play areas blurred into the landscape.
Simon Gipson’s guiding vision throughout for his 1300
plus students was an educational centre as ‘a place of
possibilities’ where space dissolves into fragmented
‘walls’ of glass and timber.
Gipson says: “That was really the metaphor we gave the
architects from the beginning – spaces for possibilities.
There were two other elements that were primary for me.
One was connection and relationship and so there had to
be a connection between all of the learning spaces and
places, that was obvious and deliberate. And there had to
be a relationship both in the vertical and horizontal planes,
plus extending outside so that this building was seen as part
of the whole context of this school. The learning within also
had to be completely visible to permit kids as young as three
to learn alongside students aged 18 and see them learning
and vice-versa.”
A stroll through reminds you frequently that this is
no ordinary school; no Dickensian hierarchy of space
or harsh social order. Students are encouraged towards
what Simon Gipson describes as “transformational
rather than transactional learning”.