VISION 48 — GUIDING LIGHT
The results through using glass are impressive . You could have simply had solid walls and inserted conventional windows as little rectangles . There is a wide variety of glass used here . All of the north facing glass is the high energy efficiency variety . There ’ s a lot of curtain wall glass , but the double glazed units while providing acoustic benefits from passing traffic also provided absolutely beautiful light control throughout all learning spaces .
We are literally without need for artificial lighting throughout the building . It ’ s got an abundant and lovely natural light . In addition to that connection with the stained glass windows in the chapel . We ’ ve got coloured glass panels that provide a journey of colour throughout the learning spaces during the day .
And the influences here are much more residential than institutional . Schools historically have been institutional , but are no longer like that . There is that homely environment because the way teaching and learning has changed . It ’ s no longer a teacher at the front of the classroom and 50 students , all seated in rows . We provide a tree house setting with warm hues of timber , soft furnishings and a lovely homelike environment .
A quality offering is less likely to be abused , trashed or prematurely worn out . That ’ s certainly the case . Not only the teachers are respectful of their environment , but students are engaged with the building . There is ownership , there ’ s no doubt about that ownership . Historically schools are messy environments with paper everywhere . This is actually quite ordered and that is the way it ’ s maintained .
“ There ’ s a lot of curtain wall glass , but the double glazed units while providing acoustic benefits from passing traffic also provided absolutely beautiful light control throughout all learning spaces .”
GARRY THOMPSON , ARCHITECT