ThomsonAdsett’s masterplan for St Pius X Catholic Primary School assessed the potential for long-term improvement to built facilities, with a view to increased enrolments and ongoing viability of the school. We looked at the school buildings and surroundings to develop a series of projects that will sustainably revitalise this local community school and provide contemporary learning environments into the future. The masterplan identified three main stages of work as part of an overall decanting strategy that ensures continued operation of the school during works.

For Stage 1, ThomsonAdsett designed, documented and delivered the refurbishment of the main classroom building and adjacent internal corridor. ThomsonAdsett also created a learning deck in conjunction with Millar Merrigan that connects to the main classroom building, bringing the outdoors in and providing valuable outdoor classroom space. The minimal intervention project brings improved thermal comfort and an abundance of natural light into the classrooms and, for the first time, allows a view out to the deck and also the internal courtyard to the south. The simple fit-out in the classrooms is complemented by a bag locker/activity zone that extends the length of the corridor, allowing small groups of students to break out yet remain part of the classroom through large windows that now connect the two spaces.

Pending future funding, Stage 2 will see the refurbishment of the balance of the main corridor including the incorporation of new toilet facilities and a small extension to the south, and Stage 3 will see the refurbishment of the balance of the main teaching wing, the refurbishment and extension of the main administration building into a specialist learning centre, plus enhanced outdoor areas and the revitalisation of the school entry.