St Peters Girls New Science and Art Centre

St Peters Girls School engaged Swanbury Penglase to develop a new Science and Art Centre for dedicated ‘STEAM’ learning. Located at the entrance to the campus, it is a visible demonstration of the school’s commitment to the pursuit of these areas of study and their importance for the future.

The building is sited to complete and enclose the cloister created as part of the Middle School upgrade completed in 2015 and provides lift and stair access to the new two level facility and a roof terrace at the top of the development.

It houses seven new laboratories, including three dedicated to the main disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These are located on the ground floor in a space with exposed services intended to demonstrate some of ideas learned within. The Physics lab can be opened to the circulation space via a curved operable wall which allows for larger scale experiments and demonstrations including the use of the school’s two hoverboards. The floor finishes create identity for each space with a square metre grid also marked out to provide a measurable context for learning.

On the second level are another four laboratories, including one set-up for longer term experiments, typically for a ‘scientist in residence’ program. Each level is serviced by dedicated preparation spaces including a fire rated Chemical Store on the ground floor. The lift allow for equitable access to all floors plus the easy transportation of equipment and goods to all levels including the roof terrace proposed for weather related experiments.

Nestled adjacent are two new art studios. On the ground floor, the Senior studio breaks into the rear of Elizabeth Pike building, breathing new life into this space gifted to the school by ex-School Principal Elizabeth Pike, for arts practice. The rawness of the older structure contrasts with the clean lines of the new building. Upstairs, a glassy and light filled studio awaits the Junior students with views back across the campus.

With a project budget of $7M, the school has gained a significant suite of new spaces slotted into the remaining space available on what is a very constrained site. The architectural façade signifies a new ‘future focused’ era of learning at St Peters.