The Basin Primary School

 The design for The Basin Primary provides an inspirational new learning environment, for pupils, staff, and the wider community. k20 Architecture have sought to enhance the amenity of the school campus whilst providing a strong connection to the surrounding environment for students reflecting the school’s motto “dream, believe, Achieve”.

 Situated in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges (approximately 40km from the CBD of Melbourne), the Basin Primary school caters for students from a wide geographical area and a diverse socio-economic background. The school buildings are scattered across 13 acres of lush lawn covered playgrounds and provides students and staff with a "Unique Environment for Learning".

 The project is comprised of works to four buildings; A, B and M with building G to be demolished. Building M is a proposed new gymnasium that provides a multifunction space for sports, and a venue for performance, assemblies, and large public functions. The landscape has been modelled to create a natural amphitheater creating a connection between internal and external activities.

 Building A is comprised of classrooms and teaching spaces. The existing classrooms and art room have been refurbished with the aim to provide stimulating spaces for learning while maintaining the external aesthetic of the existing building and integrating with the bush land setting.

 Building B is the original schoolhouse dating back to 1879 and contains the schools Administration and offices. Alterations and additions have been made to this building with all work carried out in the materials reflecting the character of the existing structure.

 The selection of materials for the project was based on the k20 Architecture’s aim to maximise the use of materials sourced locally and with longevity. The design incorporates Environmentally Sustainable Design principals in building design and construction to lower overall life cycle and operating costs for the facility, particularly in terms of water and energy usage costs. Materials and finishes have been selected to have for low/ zero VOC’s, durability, minimised maintenance, local content, sustainable/recycled content, end of life recyclability.