Merrivale Primary, Warrnambool

Location: Gunditjmara Country (Warrnambool)

Category: Educational – Primary

Architects: DE Atelier Architects

Year Completed: 2023

Project Description:

This project focuses on thoughtful reintegration by managing a sloping site and designing a playspace that is both well-connected and easily accessible for students and their families.

The existing playground has been lowered in elevation, opening up the flow of between play spaces and encouraging movement. Level changes are addressed through multiple ramps and steps, linking across different levels and providing clear connections across the playspaces. Planting helps to frame the playground, creating a lush backdrop at the heart of the school. with a planting palette of indigenous, native, and exotic plants that are well-suited to the coastal environment. Overhead, deciduous and evergreen trees offer weather protection and help establish a sense of scale within the school. The construction of a new reception building has opened up the school's entrance to the street, transforming the area into a gathering place for parents and the community. This improvement not only enhances the school's visibility but also fosters connections among families, encourages social interaction, and gives back to the community.