A unique design concept by Hassell employs a mathematical sine wave shape to represent learning in what is also the first school in Australia to feature an extensive green roof system.

New high school design

The brief from local government called for an environmentally sustainable school that establishes new models for excellence in curriculum, teaching and learning.

The design incorporates sine wave design concept, flexible learning areas, shared community spaces and ‘extensive’ green roof system — a first for an Australian school — in the aim that the new $33 million Kingston High School set a new standard for education facility design.

Design concept

The HASSELL design team produced the idea of employing the shape of an abstracted mathematical sine wave — that represents the idea of learning and arranges buildings and spaces to provide connection and communication amongst students, teachers and the community.

The shape generated six parabolic learning pod buildings and the notion of a ‘learning street’ — a sweeping walkway that connects the pods and represents the peaks and troughs a student undertakes on their journey through life.

Responding to learning trends

Responding to local and international learning trends meant a shift to flexible learning and teaching environments. The traditional notion of individual classrooms no longer exists at Kingston. Instead, a series of adaptable spaces create varied learning environments — in small groups, individually, or in lecture size areas, all set around a large collaborative zone.

The open plan learning pods are designed to help students feel less alienated and more part of an identifiable community, preparing them for their eventual transition into the workplace.

Sustainability

An ‘extensive’ green roof system — a first for an Australian school — delivers multiple environmental benefits. The roofs provide improved thermal and acoustic insulation, which reduces energy consumption; roof water and building greywater is harvested and fed through sand filtration beds, later used for toilet flushing and site irrigation.

A range of other technologies has been used at Kingston to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels, including heat recovery pumps to power the hydronic heating system and automated windows for night purging and daytime temperature control.

Promoting community engagement

Sustainability is an important consideration but it is more than just using resources wisely. The local Kingborough Council was an important stakeholder in the project, providing funds to expand the school for community use. Shared sporting facilities and an auditorium promotes community interaction and achieves overall reductions in energy and water use.

Kingston High School has created an ‘environmental hub’ as a showcase of sustainable design and technology for the whole community to experience and learn from.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, today said that Kingston High is a social and economic engine room for the community.

“It is a significant investment in education in Tasmania’s future,” McKim said.

The official Kingston High School launch was on 4 November, after 24 months of construction the students moved into the new facility in April this year.

A 5 Star Green Star — Education v1 Design rating is pending