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EDUCATION: LEARNING FROM PLAY

Mar | 2016

Hide & Seek at Guildford Prep

Guildford Grammar School has recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art co-educational classrooms and administration building for children in years one to six. 

The $22M project, designed by architects CHRISTOU Design Group, has seamlessly integrated learning, discovery and play, in a building that reflects both modern architecture and the School’s long history. A key element of the project is the central courtyard, which features a unique nature play area. Wet and dry playgrounds intertwine elements of water, quarried stone and native fl ora with slides, tunnels, and sand pits.

“Play is a big component of the Preparatory School. Nature play allowed the School’s wetland context to merge with the educational pedagogy of the School,” CHRISTOU’s Associate Director Steven Smyth said.

Responding to the nature-rich landscape, the design features a series of buildings composed of face brick, Donnybrook stone (referencing the iconic school chapel), zinc and glass curtain walls; nestled into the hillside with views towards the wetlands and floodplain.

“The learning environment is seamless, running from the external space right through to the classroom. There is no inside and outside, the whole place is about learning, exploration and discovery,” Mr Smyth said.

The project incorporates advancements in learning and building technologies. Highly flexible classroom spaces are equipped with projection, audio and touch screen displays, whilst a Building Management System (BMS) automates climate control - operating windows to allow for pre-cooling and night purging of spaces. The building also includes a seven kilowatt solar array to offset energy use throughout the day.

CHRISTOU was faced with a number of obstacles in designing these buildings, overcoming physical, operational and geotechnical constraints to deliver a holistic design that responds to the site, context and culture of the School.

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MORE 2016 NEWS

City Beach Wins 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards Commendation

Dec | 2016

Last Month our City Beach Surf Club project took home a highly prestigious Commendation at the 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards, making the development one of the top 4 projects within the category of Urban Design Small Scale, and among the top 10 Urban Design projects in Australia.

City Beach Surf Club Takes Home Public Architecture Award

Jul | 2016

Christou is honoured to have received a highly prestigious Public Architecture Award from the Australian Institute of Architects (WA Chapter) for our design of the City Beach Surf Club, a new community and commercial project at the edge of the Indian Ocean.

Commercial: Allendale Square Under Construction

Jun | 2016

Works have begun on the upgrade of the iconic Allendale Square, within the heart of Perth's CBD. The project sees a "hi-tech" and contemporary upgrade of the existing plaza, with addition of new commercial tenancies at street level on St Georges Terrace.

Guildford Grammar Preparatory School Receives Commendation at Educational Facilities Awards 2016

Jun | 2016

We are proud to announce that the recently completed Guildford Grammar Preparatory School has received a commendation at the Educational Facilities Awards - Australasian Region 2016 under the category of New Construction / Major Facility. This recognition is testament to the dedication and vision of a truly exceptional client, Stephen Webber, Headmaster, Kent Peters, Bursar and the School Council at Guildford Grammar.

Aged Care: Bethanie On the Park Apartments Under Construction

May | 2016

CHRISTOU is excited to be working with Bethanie Group to deliver the new contemporary Bethanie on the Park luxury serviced apartments in Menora. The project continues Bethanie Groups work in setting new benchmarks in Aged Care, delivering high-quality, intuitive apartments which support its residents lifestyle. The project was recently tendered and construction is underway.

PEOPLE + COMMUNITY: THE NEW CITY BEACH

Mar | 2016

A new public focal point and icon has emerged as a result of a human-centric design approach on the new City Beach Surf Club.