Project Profile: Darwin Middle School
Darwin Middle School By Deborah Singerman
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Images courtesy of Halikos Construction
Interior image | Shaded leisure area near Driftwood cafe
Rather than treat the specific educational needs of 12 to 15 year olds as being too hot to handle the Northern Territtory Government decided to build a school aimed at encouraging students to attend and even enjoy the experience.
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art of the NT Government’s $42 million four-year Building Better Schools program, the middle school is for years 7 to 9. Its pedagogy, the art and science of teaching, mixes self-directed and collaborative learning in a supportive, flexible environment, adequately resourced with teachers, quality facilities, technology and materials, and community and parental participation. There are middle schools in Western Australia, in some independent schools and some NT high schools have become dedicated middle schools. But something was missing.
Conceptualisation
Darwin Middle School opened February 2008 for the start of the academic year. It is the Territory’s first purpose-built middle school. Design architects Build Up Design and project architects Jackman Gooden Architects (JGA) worked with the client, then the Department of Education, Employment and Training and now Department of Education and Training (DET); the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI); and educationalists to understand the philosophy that was built into the DPI brief, and later the design. “The design of the school reflects the climate of its location and those educational imperatives,” says Simon Scally, a director at Build Up Design. The six buildings are essentially a rectangle, Scally says, oriented east-west to reduce incident sun on walls. The school is broken into communities, large open general learning areas for up to 100 students. Two communities form a neighbourhood. Ground level south
contains the year 7 neighbourhood, ground level north, year 8’s and the first floor, year 9’s (the first year 9 intake will be in 2009 to total 610 students of all backgrounds, with around 65 permanent staff ). Breakout spaces or pods are teaching areas, and those large classrooms can be divided into smaller spaces with quieter areas off them. Teachers have preparation rooms. The neighbourhoods share three science spaces, arts, music and home economics spaces, and a performing arts stage. A central covered area has seating for assemblies and performances, and the Driftwood cafe is next to it. Darwin’s tropical wet and dry, punctuated by a build up and build down, led to passive environmental design principles to protect against the sun and rain. These included outside verandahs, wide roof eaves and cross ventilation for the internal spaces. The budget was $25.3 million, says Chris
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with its regular coordination meetings, was fast-tracked.
Pre-construction/demolition
A kilometre from the Darwin CBD on a west facing peninsular, the site was a rocky beachside outcrop, but did not present too many problems, according to civil works contractor Alan King and Sons Construction. The school is on approximately 15,000 square metres of land. Formerly part of Vesty's meatworks, an old water tank found there was converted to a gymnasium. The school also lies within a broader precinct including Darwin High School and Darwin Botanic Gardens. Marisa Fontes of Outsidesign created a low maintenance landscape, retaining existing significant trees, adding native grasses and stands of Salmon Gums at the entrance, and generally balancing compliance with strict NT Government
The design of the school reflects the climate of its location and those educational imperatives. Simon Scally, Build Up Design
Giannikouris, Project Manager responsible for construction management at the design and construct contractor, Halikos. The project came in well ahead of schedule. Halikos only engaged local consultants, subcontractors and suppliers and that when several major NT projects were competing for scarce resources, and the design process,
planting guidelines with the need for shade and greenery, within a revised budget.
Construction / engineering
Halikos constructed a building pad to raise the natural ground level against flooding. This allowed the main structural groundworks to continue through the 2007 monsoonal rainfall. Award Magazine | 57
Image courtesy of Halikos Construction
Project Profile: Darwin Middle School
Learning is community based, secure, wireless and within a colour scheme reflecting the local beach Works went through another wet season, and only one dry season. This was just one part of an efficient delivery method. The DPI prepared 15 per cent of the total project design. Halikos engaged consultants and directed them to advance the design during the request for tender (RTF) phase. (Group 1 was subcontracted by JGA to do the architectural documentation.) This paid off because the company was awarded the contract in October 2006 and could immediately submit 85 to 90 per cent of the drawings and developed design for approval, go on site the following month, erect the building pad and keep going. The contract gave financial incentives for the contractor to complete on time or ahead of time, says DPI Project Manager Ray Carter, a challenging DPI initiative that reversed the more usual contract conditions where the contractor is penalised if late. Stage 1 buildings, including the canteen/cafe originally part of Stage 2, were completed 12 days ahead of the program. Stage 2 balance of works was completed on 21 February 2008, more than 10 weeks ahead, making Halikos eligible for the financial incentives. With the support of structural engineers, Wallbridge and Gilbert RFP, Halikos used structural raft slabs on the building pad with rendered structural blockwork walls, in situ suspended slabs and a structural steel roof frame. “The most difficult part of the project,” Giannikouris says, “was coordinating the steel roof structure, which linked the school buildings.” Darren Mullan of Halikos Roofing remembers the challenging angles of Build Up Design’s gecko roof shape. Chris Rogers of All Plan Drawing Services created a 3D model of the building structure, enabling Halikos
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to integrate the design. Rogers used Tekla Structures, a Scandinavian 3D CAD structural steel modelling package. Halikos also asked surveyors J Matthews and Associates “to confirm column and wall locations to ensure that we could join up the structures without misalignment”. New footpaths, a new access road, bus stop to rear of the site and drop-off zone at the front were some of the later works that set the challenge to catch up with the main work.
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accordion doors from Unifold break the large open spaces into smaller classrooms. In line with the communities approach, fully equipped kitchens are nearby. Students make all the food eaten in the school. Arafura Catering supplies commercial grade kitchen ware and Roland Australia supplies hot and cold food display bars. All the woodwork from Darwin Joinery is plantation grown and treated with varnish only. A warm and sympathetic colour palette
I think we’ve built an iconic architectural schooling facility in which the community should be justifiably proud. Marcus Dixon, Principal, Darwin Middle School
Interior design
Around $2 million was allocated to Furnishings Fittings and Equipment (FFE), which the consultants managed for DET. The school is wireless and provided all students with new laptops and laptop cages. Smartboards are available. Internal wall elevations detail FFE and service locations. Insulated roof and walls provide for efficient airconditioning. Stark Investments’ Rondo suspended ceilings are made from 19 mm acoustic mineral fibre tiles. Mechanical services contractor, Mobile Electrics (NT), has programmed control sequences for air quality and indoor temperatures. Signage by Computer Engraving and Design reminds students and teachers to turn off lighting when not in use, and a Building Management System, from ISAS, monitors and controls all lighting, airconditioning, security and access. High acoustic rating Soundguard 40
is picked from sticks and stones of the local beach, Dixon says. Standard vinyl floors are offset by carpets from Onterra, rippled like waves.
Final outcome
Joint winner of the 2008 commercial construction over $10 million excellence award from the Territory Construction Association (alongside the Darwin Convention Centre), Darwin Middle School is living up to its Principal Marcus Dixon’s praise. “I think we’ve built an iconic architectural schooling facility in which the community should be justifiably proud,” says the schools principal. The precedent is set. DET has said that there will be a new purpose-built middle and primary school in Palmerston, south of Darwin and Giannikouris knows the importance of locality. “Good rapport with local industry was key to our successful delivery of this project.” A
Project directory | Darwin Middle School GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Halikos Construction Pty Ltd
Contact: Chris Giannikouris GPO Box 1511 Darwin, NT 0801 P: 08 8981 8966 F: 08 8981 9336 www.halikos.com.au
Works commenced wet season 2006, with the first concrete pour in Feb 2007. Stage 1 and Stage 2 were delivered ahead of schedule for the start of the 2008 school year. Halikos engaged local consultants and subcontractors and was well advanced on RFT design during the tender period. When the project was awarded, the developed design was immediately submitted for review resulting in the earliest possible commencement of work.
SURVEYOR
J.Matthews & Associates Pty Ltd
Contact: John Matthews Unit 2/141 Mitchell Street Larrakeyah, NT 0820 P: 08 8944 7888 F: 08 8944 7820 P: 0408 859 567 www.fyfe.com.au
J Matthews and Associates (JMA) which has been operating in the Northern Territory since 1988, are now part of the Fyfe organisation following the acquisition of JMA earlier this year . The new company is now known as Fyfe JMA. Since March Fyfe JMA, has increased staff numbers from six to 14, while turnover has almost trebled on the back of major gas projects, land development and civil contracts. Fyfe itself began as a small surveying company in Adelaide 25 years ago and in recent years has commenced a nation-wide expansion program, now having offices in Adelaide, Moomba, Bellara, Darwin, Alice Springs, Brisbane and Roma to service the property and resource industries. Fyfe nation-wide now has around 200 staff including surveyors, engineers, draftsmen and supervisors.
Building Management Systems • ISAS - Integrated Switchgear & Systems Pty Ltd Contact: Tony Pearce PO Box 36878 Winnellie, NT 0821 P: 08 8947 2313 F: 08 8947 0149 www.isas.com.au Ceramics Supplier • Cerbis Ceramics Contact: Ari Tsirbas 39 Winnellie Road, Winnellie Darwin, NT 0821 P: 08 8984 3019 F: 08 8984 3024 Civil Designer • Byrne Design & Drafting PO Box 43420 Casuarina, NT 0811 P: 08 8945 7030 F: 08 8945 7031 Civil Engineer • Wallbridge & Gilbert RFP Contact: John Fong 7/9 Keith Lane Darwin, NT 0820 P: 08 8941 1678 F: 08 8941 5060 www.wallbridgeandgilbert.com.au D&C Mechanical Services • Mobile Electrics & Refrigeration Contact: Greg McLaughlin 11 Goyder Road Parap, NT 0820 P: 08 8923 4877 F: 08 8923 4800 P: 08 8923 4877 www.mobileelec.com.au Design & Documentation Architects • Jackman Gooden Architects PO Box 175 Darwin, NT 0801 P: 08 8981 9466 F: 08 8981 2559
Electrical Contractor • ISAS - Integrated Switchgear & Systems Pty Ltd Contact: Tony Pearce PO Box 36878 Winnellie, NT 0821 P: 08 8947 2313 F: 08 8947 0149 www.isas.com.au Additional Offices: Welshpool WA 08 9356 3800 The new Darwin Middle School features an integrated security, air-conditioning, lighting and heating Building Management System (BMS). The BMS has been commissioned by ISASIntegrated Switchgear and Systems to maximise energy saving opportunities without imposing upon the schools occupants. The building utilises a central chilled water plant, air-handling systems with variable speed drives, variable air volume boxes and split DX units for after hours use in low occupied areas.
Floorcovering Contractor • Corporate Design Floors PO Box 134 Berrimah, NT 0828 P: 08 8947 1157 F: 08 8947 1153 Kitchen Equipment Design • Arafura Catering Equipment PO Box 200 Parap, NT 0804 P: 08 8981 6655 F: 08 8981 4888 Minor Steel Work • TWG Metal Fabrications Pty Ltd Contact: Tom Grigg PO Box 1292 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 P: 0412 814 795 F: 02 6928 5812 tomgrigg@active8.net Our involvement was mostly in the minor steelworks consisting of five parts; the attachment which had been prefabricated as a kit type installation; fabricate and install the six entry points and barriers; supply and install the main entry suspended ceiling structures; supply and install stud infill panels above the block work where required; install the drop down ladder giving access to the roof air conditioner plant.
Plans Provider • Planprint Services N.T. P/L 159 Coonawarra Road Winnguie, NT 0820 P: 08 8947 3322 F: 08 8947 2555
Steel Entry • TWG Metal Fabrications Pty Ltd Contact: Tom Grigg PO Box 1292 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 P: 0412 814 795 F: 02 6928 5812 tomgrigg@active8.net Structural Engineer • Wallbridge & Gilbert RFP Contact: John Fong 7/9 Keith Lane Darwin, NT 0820 P: 08 8941 1678 F: 08 8941 5060 www.wallbridgeandgilbert.com.au Sunscreens • TWG Metal Fabrications Pty Ltd Contact: Tom Grigg PO Box 1292 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 P: 0412 814 795 F: 02 6928 5812 tomgrigg@active8.net Suspended Ceilings • TWG Metal Fabrications Pty Ltd Contact: Tom Grigg PO Box 1292 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 P: 0412 814 795 F: 02 6928 5812 tomgrigg@active8.net Ventilation & Air Conditioning • Mobile Electrics & Refrigeration 11 Goyder Road Parap, NT 0820 P: 08 8923 4877 F: 08 8923 4800 Wall Framing • TWG Metal Fabrications Pty Ltd Contact: Tom Grigg PO Box 1292 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 P: 0412 814 795 F: 02 6928 5812 tomgrigg@active8.net
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