Kennedy Nolan - Footscray West Primary School

We are now carbon neutral in operation!

The work of our practice is generated through an investigation of how people want to live, work and learn.

The test of our work is whether it results in people being inspired, fully realised and happy. To make design that accomplishes this, the practice has focused on building a team with shared values, respect and affection for each other.

Our team has developed a common understanding of the necessity of sustainability. Together, we are searching for ways to positively impact the environment through our workplace decision-making. This thinking informs our design approach, too.

Footscray West Primary School

Educational – Gymnasium & Specialist Spaces

Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples

Sustainability:

Exceeded benchmark for BQSH Product Transparency and Sustainability – Green Star Buildings: Sustainable Products Calculator
Salvaged materials informed by a pre-demolition audit were reused on site and across local projects.
Natural ventilation and night purging minimise reliance on mechanical services
Low-VOC, locally sourced materials and detailing for disassembly.

Project Team: Patrick Kennedy, Rachel Nolan, Susan Syer, Yau Nga, Hilary Duff, Shin Kil, Jackie Oro, Wyndham Cameron

Size: 1500 m2

Collaborators: Creo Consultants, Cortese Consultants, Simon Ellis Landscape Architects, BSA Building Surveyors, Octave Acoustics, Access Studio, Breese Pitt Dixon, Ralph Beattie Bosworth, NCS Project Solutions, Amina Briggs

Builder: Bowden Corp

View plans here

In October 2023, Kennedy Nolan was engaged to provide Principal Design Consultant services for a masterplan and new competition grade gymnasium building with associated amenities, music, performance space, food technology, canteen, staff works and meeting room spaces for Footscray West Primary School.

The school was keen to establish themselves as community hub and to promote a sense of whole community belonging, with a gymnasium that could accommodate the whole school population for assemblies, graduation ceremonies, celebrations and performances to enhance community link.

Connection and engagement with the natural environment for both students and staff were also high priorities. Each specialist space has large, glazed sliding doors allowing the space to open out to purposeful and sheltered outdoor learning spaces and landscape.

The new building respectfully sits slightly lower than Wallaby, the oldest building on site that is a double storey red brick building. The specialist spaces and amenities are located on the east and south and are one storey, providing connection and not overshadowing the smaller Emu building directly on the east.

Eastern Elevation

southern elevation

site plan