8i Architects Pty Ltd

Suite 24, 200 Moggill Road
Taringa, QLD 4068 Australia

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Hamilton State School

Delivering a new benchmark in education design

Case Study

This project has increased this Brisbane primary school’s capacity for students. The design also provides new cohesive gathering spaces at the School, which were previously lacking.

8i Architects was initially engaged by the Queensland Department of Education to design and deliver a new two-storey General Learning Centre for Hamilton State School. The brief called for new classrooms on the upper floor with new staff and prep facilities located on the ground floor, as well as an undercroft space allocated for future expansion.

At a point approximately halfway into the construction period, we were instructed to develop the undercroft space into classrooms due to an increase in the student population.

After the construction of the new General Learning Centre, we were also engaged to internally refurbish an existing heritage-listed building on the campus. This was the original building on campus from the School’s inception in 1907. The existing classrooms on the upper level were spatially dysfunctional. Our design streamlined these spaces to support contemporary learning.

There were a number of challenges we overcame during this project. Our team discovered there was a heritage-listed space we needed to design around, even though it was not initially identified on the heritage report (not undertaken by 8i Architects). The heritage listing related to an empty space, previously occupied by a tennis court that had since been removed. 8i Architects had to substantially amend the original design to accommodate the heritage listing. We successfully amended the format of the building to incorporate this space as a new outdoor area.

8i Architects has incorporated large existing heritage-listed trees into the design, which have enhanced the students’ outlook from common areas. The new building also provides additional shaded areas that previously didn’t exist in abundance at the School. This is of particular importance in the Queensland climate.

The School is designed to encourage outdoor learning and play.

An ample undercover area provides shading and respite for students and staff alike.

The way 8i Architects communicated, without the jargon, helped me to answer questions from staff and parents.

Liam Bray
Principal, Hamilton State School

Additional learning spaces adjoin outdoor play areas.

Verandahs act as circulation spaces and bag storage, while providing leafy outlooks.

New learning spaces seamlessly respond to the existing buildings on site.

Refurbishment of the heritage-listed school building.

8i Architects have been really invested in the project – in my thoughts, the school and the community.

Liam Bray
Principal, Hamilton State School

8i Architects have made my job easier and their genuine interest in getting the best for us has been outstanding.

Liam Bray

Principal, Hamilton State School

Education projects

#
Projects
Year
Sector

Bega TAFE (NSW)

  • Name: Bega TAFE (NSW)
  • Client: TAFE NSW
  • Builder: St Hilliers
  • Category: Education

Bega TAFE’s new multi-hub facility includes a commercial kitchen and trade training centre.

This regional NSW project was successfully managed by 8i Architects’ Brisbane office.

Palmview State Secondary College

  • Name: Palmview State Secondary College
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

Palmview State Primary School

  • Name: Palmview State Primary School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

Palmview Special School

  • Name: Palmview Special School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

Coomera State Special School

  • Name: Coomera State Special School
  • Client: Department of Education
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

Cleveland District State High School

  • Name: Cleveland District State High School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

8i Architects was engaged to design and document a new $10 million multi-storey Learning Centre at Cleveland District State High School. The centre accommodates senior students and includes new general learning areas, new dance studio with plastic cushioned floor, staff space and amenities.

This new facility was designed to accommodate the increasing student population in the area.

With over 10 years of designing and documenting educational facilities, 8i Architects was engaged by the FK Gardner & Sons to design and document a new three storey GLA building at Cleveland District State High School in the Redlands. This project was able to be successfully managed by 8i Architects’ Brisbane office.

Hieu Nguyen and Jeremy Haldane were the project architects.

The siting of the building was selected to ensure the school’s operation was not disrupted by the construction of the new building.

The project was completed on time and within budget.

Hamilton State School

  • Name: Hamilton State School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: James Trowse Construction
  • Category: Education

Highfields State Secondary College

  • Name: Highfields State Secondary College
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

Laidley State High School

  • Name: Laidley State High School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: Woollam Constructions
  • Category: Education

Laidley State High School’s new multi-storey GLA building with extension of science block and manual arts building.

The project included a commercial teaching kitchen, dance area, film and TV studio, music rooms and general GLA’s.

This regional project was able to be successfully managed by 8i Architects’ Brisbane office.

Jeremy Haldane was the Principal Project Architect. 8i Architects was employed as the Principal Consultant on the project. As the Principal Consultant, 8i Architects had to undertake the management and co-ordination of the design team which included secondary consultants such as Mechanical, Electrical, Security and Communications Engineer, Hydraulics, Structural, Civil, Landscape Architect, DDA Consultant and Building Certifier.

8i Architects worked with and under the direction of the Project Manager, who was our point of contact for advising and reporting to the Department of Education. The Project Manager was responsible for delivering the program and budget for the project. We assisted the Project Manager to ensure that the buildings were delivered on time and within budget whilst maintaining building quality. The time and budget constraints were achieved by design buildings that were fit for purpose, used readily available local trades and materials and adding value in the design.

The Principal Consultancy Team delivered concept design, sketch design, design development, construction documentation, tender and contract administration for the project.

Mountain Creek State High School

  • Name: Mountain Creek State High School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

8i Architects were engaged to design and document a new $16.4 million multi-storey Learning Centre at Mountain Creek State High School on the Sunshine Coast. The centre accommodates senior students and includes 16 new general learning areas, two flexible learning areas, three STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning spaces, three science labs, two robotics labs, two collaborative spaces, a staff space and amenities.

This project was able to be successfully managed by 8i Architects’ Brisbane office.

Hieu Nguyen and Jeremy Haldane were the project architects.

The siting of the building was changed by 8i Architects to ensure the school’s operation of 2,100 students was not disrupted by the construction of the new building.

Picnic Creek State School

  • Name: Picnic Creek State School
  • Client: Department of Education - Queensland
  • Builder: FKG Group
  • Category: Education

8i Architects were engaged by FKG Group to design and document a brand new $40 million school in Coomera for the Department of Education.

The main scope of works comprised of a total of 17 new buildings including an Administration and Student Support Building, Multipurpose Hall, Canteen & Central Amenities, dedicated Prep, Junior and Senior learning areas and a Special Education Unit.

The project also included provision of multiple outdoor play areas, extensive landscaping, a student drop-off & bus zone area, visitor and staff car parking, covered entry and walkways and sports oval. The school also has a direct connection to the nearby natural habitat with the inclusion of a nature bridge that links it to a local Koala Conservation area.