James Cook High School New Special Needs Teaching Spaces
Design and Facilities
Stakeholder Workshops: Several workshops were conducted with stakeholders to design features that enhance students' ability to utilize the new building effectively.
Accessibility: The building includes fully accessible spaces with level thresholds, ensuring a barrier-free environment. Accessible bathrooms with operable hoists are also provided.
Materials: Robust materials, such as brick veneer for external cladding, were chosen for their durability.
Classroom Flexibility: Large open-plan classrooms feature removable internal walls to adapt to changing teaching methods.
Kitchens: Fully equipped kitchens are available, emphasizing cooking as a key element of the teaching schedule.
Budget Considerations
The project was constrained by budget, leading to careful selection of design elements. For instance, the structure uses lightweight timber framing, common in residential construction.
Outdoor Integration
Classrooms open onto a landscaped external courtyard with large sliding glazed doors. Deep verandas provide shelter and shade, allowing year-round use and reducing solar gain during summer.
School Integration
The new building is designed to integrate closely with the main school, ensuring all students feel part of the larger school community. The courtyard opens onto the main thoroughfare of the school.
This new building marks the first addition to the school in decades and is part of a broader masterplan developed by Babbage.
