Aldinga Payinthi College

Aldinga Payinthi College is one of the two new Birth-Year 12 schools delivered simultaneously for the Department of Education under a PPP (Public Private Partnership) model.

A detailed briefing document (PSDR) was prepared by the Department for Education and specialist consultants, forming the basis for the Consortium design. Each school campus would accommodate 1675 students (Early Years to Year 12), in a contemporary learning environment, with a STEM focus. Designed as a “Schools within Schools” model, the campus includes Early Years, Primary Years, Secondary Years with Inclusive Learning spaces embedded throughout.

With a focus on universal access and community ties, the design needed to deliver a civic presence and allow a high degree of visual and physical connectivity, facilitating the school’s role as a Community Hub. Significant urban design and landscaping elements strengthen these connections, with layered and linked internal learning spaces opening up to external landscape spaces.

The Architect’s interpretation of the Briefing document saw the creation of seven design principles that were developed and applied to the design of each campus, noting that each site had different proportions but were equal in size.

1. Series of Learning Communities
2. Community Space
3. Environment as the Third Teacher
4. Graduation of Spaces
5. Green Spine
6. Planting Strategies
7. Financially Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible

Overlayed across each site is a connection to Country and the opportunity to recognise and present the Aboriginal significance of each site. Some of the Aboriginal stories for each site are embedded in the landscape design for learning and discovery. Ongoing programs for the students supported by local Elders allow a deeper exploration of these stories, further developing students’ connection to these places, their learning, and most importantly their community.