Behind a vertical school build

Vertical schools use space differently to low-rise schools, requiring careful planning to minimise disruption and facilitate smooth student flow. The Wurun Senior Campus has strategically arranged learning neighbourhoods and specialist areas to manage foot traffic and reduce unnecessary movement throughout the campus. For instance, music and drama facilities are grouped together on the ground floor to enable easy movement between related rooms, while core subjects like English and mathematics are taught in central locations, fostering a cohesive learning environment.

Urban schools without traditional outdoor spaces like ovals have rooftop courts to provide spaces for students to engage in physical activities. These spaces, along with terraces, are also designed to be multifunctional, offering areas for socialisation, recreation and outdoor learning.

Creating a stable learning environment also involves careful selection of materials and design considerations for heating, cooling, flooring, and acoustics. Vertical design offers construction efficiency and adaptability, allowing for simultaneous work on different levels and easier future expansions without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Building a vertical school requires addressing the specific needs of the student body. The design and construction processes must include input from all stakeholders, including school staff, architects and contractors, to meet different user needs and facilitate daily interactions between students and teachers.

Educators' insights are especially important as they understand how the space will be used for teaching and learning. Early contractor involvement mitigates project risks by including builders in the design phase. This method leverages practical knowledge and expertise, resulting in more efficient and effective construction processes. Having contractors advise during the initial phases can also quickly resolve technical issues, offering real-time solutions that are specific to the project.

The design and construction of the Wurun Senior Campus involved creating areas tailored for senior students to prepare them for tertiary education and the workplace. Collaboration between Fitzroy High School and Collingwood College led to a shared vision that incorporated the design of existing facilities from both schools into the design of the new campus. Close collaboration with the Victorian Schools Building Authority made sure the new campus was well-equipped while making efficient use of existing resources. 

Vertical schools are an opportunity to challenge the idea of adhering to conventional classroom designs and teaching methodologies. To take full advantage of the unique features of vertical schools, educational institutions can adopt more student-focused learning strategies that empower students and prepare them for independence beyond the school environment.

Incorporating certain elements of tertiary education into vertical school design can greatly improve the learning experience and better equip students for future academic and professional environments. Educators can team-teach and students can engage in various learning formats, ranging from traditional lectures to interactive workshops. These spaces can also be used for presentations, such as debates or business breakfasts, increasing their functionality and promoting a community atmosphere within the school.

Vertical school designs can feature exhibition spaces that promote hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. These areas enable students to work on projects together, enhancing their knowledge and skills like teamwork and creativity.

Building vertical schools requires reimagining the functionality of learning spaces to be more flexible, multi-functional and collaborative while accounting for physical constraints within cities. Actively involving all stakeholders from the outset achieves optimal building functionality and supports the school's educational vision and values.

Collaboration between educators and contractors in the design and construction of vertical schools can also extend to the day-to-day activities within vertical schools, with innovative facilities and spaces enabling diverse teaching methods and learning styles.

As cities become more populated, vertical schools show that limitations can actually drive creativity in how learning spaces are planned, built and operated. They encourage cooperation throughout the project lifecycle and nurture a sense of camaraderie for students that will be invaluable in their future roles as community leaders.

To learn more, watch our webinar on what a successful vertical school looks like in practice.