2021 National Commendation for Educational Architecture

Jury citation

This school, based on the Reggio Emilia learning system, is experimental by nature. The plan, based around the retention of trees, represents the nature of its experimentation but also delivers an outcome that is generous to the broader Geelong community. The combination of open classrooms availing many possibilities for the children’s self-development is carefully considered by the architect. There is a balance in the way walls and service zones are juxtaposed so that there is also an ability to meet the needs of children who seek a sense of order and enclosure. This is an accomplished work, a reading of this genre of pedagogy relevant to our Australian conditions that could be seen as a prototype.

Project credits

Architect: John Wardle Architects; Project team: John Wardle, Stefan Mee, Alan Ting, Diego Bekinschtein, Samuel Clegg, Maya Borjesson, Amanda Moore, Andrew Wong, Anna Jankovic, Elisabetta Zanella, Will Rogers, Irena Galanos, Adrian Bonaventura, Bill Kalavriotis, Maximilien Tisserand, Philip Williams, Ellen Chen, Hannah Zhu, Meron Tierney, Nick Roberts, Rhys Hall; Builder: Fairbrother; Civil and structural engineer: McLeod Consulting; Fire engineer: Affinity Fire Engineering; Geotechnical engineer: A. S. James; Services consultant: ADP Consulting; Building surveyor: BSA Building Surveyors; Landscape consultant: Mexted Rimmer; Acoustic consultant: Marshall Day Acoustics; Other consultants: Cardno;

Geelong College Junior School by John Wardle Architects is located in Newtown, Victoria, on the land of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nation.