The academic campus at Richmond High School, the $43 million first vertical state high school, is on track to open in 2019 with a major milestone recently reached with the topping out of the building.

Architecture practice Hayball, joined students, staff, and Victorian Minister’s for Education and Planning to tour the school and see the roof now in place for the Griffith Street campus.

David Tweedie, Director at Hayball on the topping out event for Richmond High School’s Academic Building (Griffiths St Campus) said the milestone in the construction of Richmond High School provides students, teachers, and community members an opportunity to celebrate the campus so close to completion.

“During the design phase, Hayball had the great benefit of working with the Richmond High School reference group. Now that the designs are coming to life, there’s a sense among the local community that this is truly a school for them.”

Mr Tweedie said the atrium is the physical and symbolic heart of the academic building, a single unifying space that brings everyone in the school together.

“This idea of connectivity is also reflected in the exterior of the building – what is now a hulking mass of frames and cladding will soon convey wholeness and express a ground plane strongly connected to the landscape.”

Inside the vertical school building, specialist space will be evident in each of the four levels. In a shift from traditional classrooms and teaching models, classrooms with four walls and a whiteboard won’t be present. Instead, learning spaces on each storey will be targeted, purposeful spaces promoting a range of activities and experiences and to suit staff and students’ diverse needs.

“A school is really a hub for its surrounding community. At the Griffiths and Gleadell Street campuses, spaces for students to learn, gather and play can be used by community members, including the outdoor amphitheatre, three external netball courts, performing arts facilities and café environment.”