Thornbury High School STEAM Centre with students gathering outside a modern learning facility surrounded by open green spaces.

Thornbury High School, STEAM Centre

The new STEAM Centre at Thornbury High School represents a landmark achievement within the school’s transformative master plan, marking the second phase of a four-stage masterplan. Brand Architects collaborated closely with school leadership to shape the initial project brief during the AMP process in 2018. Following the completion of Stage 1 and securing funding for Stage 2, Brand Architects was engaged to refine the Master Plan and advance to the next phase which included the construction of a new two-storey STEAM Centre and the demolition of existing LTC wings, paving the way for extensive landscaping.

The Stage 2 works enabled a thorough review and overhaul of the remaining specialist spaces, fostering a cohesive integration of learning and space across disciplines with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. The STEAM centre accommodates a fabrication workshop, adaptable workshop, digital production lab, art studios, science labs, food technology, collaboration and break-out spaces.

Beyond revitalising the school’s outdated facilities, the STEAM Centre plays a pivotal role in reimagining the campus’s urban identity. By transforming the northern end of the campus, the project positions the school as a cutting-edge, 21st century learning environment, in line with the vision articulated by the school. The building features a striking perforated mesh balustrade that showcases Wurundjeri art, seamlessly integrating cultural significance into the building fabric and promoting inclusivity and cultural awareness.

Location
Thornbury
Country
Wurundjeri
Client
Victorian School Building Authority
Type
Primary & Secondary Education

Awards

  • FINALIST — 2024 Victorian School Design Awards, First Nations Design
Exterior view of the STEAM Centre set within open green spaces and landscaped school grounds.
Students using open lawn areas beside the STEAM Centre, with flexible learning spaces and outdoor areas for recreation and activity.
Students collaborating and studying in a shared learning space with informal seating, breakout areas, and natural light.
Students collaborating in an open learning hub with flexible seating, study areas, and connected classroom spaces.
Students using tiered seating and informal study areas beside a staircase within a shared learning space.
Students studying and working in a quiet learning area with booth seating and spaces for individual and small-group work.
Student using a quiet study booth within a learning area connected to classrooms, laboratories, and collaborative spaces.
Students participating in a food technology class with cooking stations, preparation areas, and practical learning activities.
Students working in a science laboratory with practical workstations, sinks, and spaces for experiments and hands-on learning.
Students using outdoor stairs and seating areas beside the STEAM Centre, with shaded walkways and landscaped surroundings.
Exterior screen featuring integrated artwork panels and mature trees within the landscaped grounds surrounding the STEAM Centre.
Students gathering outside the STEAM Centre entrance with outdoor seating, landscaped gardens, and open campus spaces.