Highgate Primary School

Highgate Primary School

Making space for the next generation

 

When Highgate Primary School needed additional learning space, expanding within its established inner-city campus presented a significant challenge.

With limited room to build, difficult site access and an active school environment to consider, the project required a carefully planned solution that would maximise the available footprint while integrating with the existing campus.

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Working alongside IPH Architects, Ausco delivered a permanent two-storey modular facility comprising 51 modules across 1026m².

The new building provides six classrooms, a multipurpose classroom, two activity areas and additional student activity space, creating a modern, flexible learning environment for the growing school community.

A tight site with an even tighter delivery window

One of the project's biggest challenges was simply getting the building to site.

Access was via a narrow, single-lane residential road, regularly used by neighbouring residents and families dropping off and collecting students. With the road connecting to a busy main thoroughfare, large vehicle movements needed to be carefully coordinated.

Deliveries and collections were restricted to a five-and-a-half-hour window, avoiding peak traffic and school arrival and departure times.

For a project involving 51 modules, this required meticulous scheduling and close coordination between Ausco's project team, subcontractors and the surrounding community.

The site team established positive relationships with local residents, who were accommodating when parked vehicles needed to be moved to allow access.

Combined with careful planning and a collaborative approach from subcontractors, this helped the team manage the logistical challenges of delivering a two-storey building within a highly restricted space.

Learning spaces with a sense of place

Inside, the building offers bright, contemporary learning environments with flexible spaces for teaching and student activities.

Each of the six classrooms features a different colour inspired by the six Noongar seasons, reflecting changes in the land, weather and plant life throughout the year.

A ceiling artwork depicting Stone's Lake also acknowledges the wetlands that once formed part of the local landscape.

These thoughtful design elements bring a sense of identity to the learning spaces, connecting the building with the history and environment of the Highgate area.