Designs for an innovative new vertical school that will cater for 1100 students have just been released by the Victorian Government.
Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, released the images of the new Fishermans Bend Secondary School (currently known by an interim name) and declared that early site works such as geotechnical investigations, demolition, site clearing, environmental testing and remediation works are now getting underway at 477 Graham Street, Port Melbourne.
The four-storey school’s design references the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, with layers of classrooms that resemble the levels of a ship.
The school’s architecture and materials honour the area’s unique identity – including its proximity to the ocean, local maritime and industrial history – through references to shipping container yards and sand formations present in the area prior to European settlement.
Feedback and ideas from community consultation undertaken in July and August 2018 helped shape the school’s design.
The state-of-the-art school will have a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
Once complete, it will boast a high-tech robotics workshop, digital technology and fabrication lab, which will expose students to career pathways that align with Fishermans Bend’s proposed design, engineering and manufacturing precinct.
There will also be an array of arts, food technology, sports and Learning Resource Centre spaces that can be shared with the community.
Sustainable design initiatives throughout the 7,947 square metre building are set to double as learning tools for students.
This includes the application of forestry stewardship approved timber, low-energy lighting, roof-mounted solar photovoltaic, food production gardens and rainwater tanks.
The school is targeted to open in 2022.