8i Architects Pty Ltd

Suite 24, 200 Moggill Road
Taringa, QLD 4068 Australia

Copyright © 2024 8i Architects

Baringa State Secondary College

Designing and delivering an entire new school

Case Study

This project brings a high quality education facility to the Sunshine Coast community.

8i Architects was engaged by FKG Group to design and document the first stage of a brand new $127 million school campus in Baringa for the Queensland Department of Education.

The campus comprises six new buildings including an Administration and Resources Library, General Learning Areas, Multipurpose Hall with full size Futsal court, Science Labs, Manual Arts Workshops, Lecture Theatre, Canteen & Amenities, Music Classrooms, Gym/Kinesiology Centre, Multi-Storey General Learning Building, Food Studies and future commercial teaching kitchen. The project also included the provision of extensive ovals with areas for track and field events, a student drop-off, visitor and staff car parking, covered entry and walkways.

8i Architects’ extensive expertise in delivering halls, classrooms, manual arts, lecture theatres and commercial teaching kitchens improved upon FKG’s original tender design. As a result, FKG was able to indicate areas of improvement and potential cost savings in their tender submission. Our design also seamlessly integrates passive design techniques and sunshading to minimise unwanted heat gain and provide natural ventilation where possible.

The timeframe for this project was urgent for this particular FKG team, as they had won the Design and Construct contract for three new school campuses due to commence construction at the same time. This FKG team wanted to be the first school project to deliver tender documents, so they could engage their preferred sub-contractors. 8i Architects met and exceeded FKG’s delivery documentation expectations.

Learning areas are connected to greenery and nature.

The team from 8i have been a pleasure to work with over the past seven years. They are talented and committed professionals who always go the extra mile to achieve a superior outcome, even when working with difficult stakeholders. Highly recommended and looking forward to working with them on future projects.

Ken Walker
Principal Project Co-ordinator, Department of Education Queensland

The design capitalises on views to the School’s surroundings.

Flexible spaces provide options for individual and group learning.

The lecture theatre provides ample seating for students and staff in a university-like setting.

An indoor sports centre supports physical education and sporting activities.

I have worked with the core team at 8i for several years now. 8i have demonstrated an efficient approach to their work, have managed to deliver in the timeframe required while still maintaining a diligent performance and attention to detail. I have always been satisfied with their work and look forward to working with them in the future.

Eugen Tarau,
Lead Design Manager, FKG Group

Circulation spaces create places for incidental learning and socialisation.

Laboratories are designed to the highest technical standards to support teaching and learning.

Thank you so much! Absolutely love what 8i have done for us. I’m so excited to see it all come together.

Cailin Butterworth

Business Manager, Baringa State Secondary College

Education projects

#
Projects
Year
Sector

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.

Coomera State Special School

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

Hamilton State School

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

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

Palmview State Secondary College

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

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.