Caulfield Grammar School
—
The practice worked closely with key stakeholders to understand the school’s requirements and developed a series of cleverly zoned insertions within the limited footprint. Break out spaces, meeting rooms and informal gathering points allow for, and encourage, all types of interaction, from working independently to collaboratively, or in a larger group.
Adjacent to the entrance is a communal kitchenette and breakout area, where the use of stone and a patchwork rug subtly nod to the imagined cobble-stoned village square. The main meeting table features a soft blue tabletop, custom terrazzo base, and integrated desk light, creating an intimate moment within the larger space.
From this open-plan entry point branch multiple meeting spaces and offices, culminating in a central boardroom. The heritage nature of the building limited structural changes, however at the rear of the building an existing window was enlarged and stone benchtop installed, creating a thoughtful spot to look out onto the sunny atrium, something the practice carefully considered. With the traditional village square as he muse, Studio Tate examined the need for collaboration, for solitude, for communication and for a sense of welcome and comfort. In the workplace environment, these elements are the difference between effective work flow and inefficiencies that impact employee wellbeing and the bottom-line.
Photography by Sean Fennessy
