Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School by BVN

Built on the land of the Wangal people of the Eora nation

North Strathfield, New South Wales

Jury citation Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary

School showcases a holistic approach, where decisions about sustainability are inseparable from the architecture. The project retains the structure of an existing 1970s concrete building – a former Telstra training centre. The linear plan and favourable orientation of the structure were ideally suited to its repurposing as a school.

A mass timber structure of glulam posts and beams, and cross-laminated timber floors, walls, roofs and a beautiful folding stair, is the dominant visible move and provides a significant carbon store. The architects have worked to preserve the timber structure as a finished surface, cleverly integrating services and managing fire safety. The architecture exploits the benefits of timber to wellbeing, applied to a learning environment for children. The use of timber also signals a heartfelt commitment to sustainability.

The plan layout maximizes passive control, with indoor learning areas connecting to generous north-facing outdoor spaces. A high-performance envelope with operable timber doors and windows allows the building to operate effectively in mixed mode. The design delivers demonstrably flexible learning spaces within an architecture that is calm and controlled.

Every experience is a learning opportunity; at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School, the architecture becomes an educator.

Architect BVN; Project team Julian Ashton (principal), Knut Menden (project director), Adriana Haindl, Alan Monckton-Milnes, Barry Cantor, Fiona Young, Jamie Don, Jamie Yoo, Jonathan Capparelli, Kim Small, Lucy Rimmer, Mateusz Sum, Patrik Typpo, Sara Pellegrini, Woramon Chanakitkarnchai; Superintendent BVN; Structural engineer TTW; Fire engineer Arup; Mechanical, electrical and audiovisual engineer JHA Consulting Engineers; Hydraulics engineers AJ Whipps Consulting Group, AJ Smith; Fire services Olsson Fire and Risk; BCA consultant BCA Logic; Traffic consultant PTC; Certifier Group DLA; Planner Robinson Urban Planning; Quantity surveyor Wilde and Woollard; DDA consultant Accessible Building Solutions