Australian Technical College wins inaugural WAN International Sector Award.
Australian Technical College in Sunshine, Victoria, has pipped to the post five international projects to win the title of WAN Education Building of the Year 2009.
The inevitable humming and hawing of the WAN Education Award jury finally subsided as the fun and imaginative design won over the pioneering panel consisting of educational design experts, a headteacher and a thirteen year old pupil.
From a long list of 27 international projects, six were announced for the shortlist last week covering six corners of the globe: Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, Norway and Scotland. But it was the Australian entry which gained the utmost respect of the panel.
Providing a new and innovative model for technical trade training facilities in Australia, the project addresses the challenge of designing a purpose built school for a specific student demographic whilst maintaining maximum flexibility of use within the confines of a tight government budget. Judges commended its fun, imaginative and demonstrably usable design, considering the College as a place where both the students and teachers would thrive.
Receiving a high commendation from the jury was Hazelwood school in Glasgow, Scotland. Already the recipient of numerous awards, this special needs school was commended for its tactile and innovative use of materials and proved a tough contender to the Technical College.
Combining world-class talent in design with those in the know at ground level, the WAN Education Award jury comprised one of the UK’s top headmasters - Anthony Seldon, two leading architects - Alan Ford and Julian Meyer, a director of the Government’s school procurement programme - Mairi Johnson and thirteen year old student - Courtney Alexander.
Australian Technical College in Sunshine, Victoria, has pipped to the post five international projects to win the title of WAN Education Building of the Year 2009.The inevitable humming and hawing of the WAN Education Award jury finally subsided as the fun and imaginative design won over the pioneering panel consisting of educational design experts, a headteacher and a thirteen year old pupil.
From a long list of 27 international projects, six were announced for the shortlist last week covering six corners of the globe: Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, Norway and Scotland. But it was the Australian entry which gained the utmost respect of the panel.
Providing a new and innovative model for technical trade training facilities in Australia, the project addresses the challenge of designing a purpose built school for a specific student demographic whilst maintaining maximum flexibility of use within the confines of a tight government budget. Judges commended its fun, imaginative and demonstrably usable design, considering the College as a place where both the students and teachers would thrive.Receiving a high commendation from the jury was Hazelwood school in Glasgow, Scotland. Already the recipient of numerous awards, this special needs school was commended for its tactile and innovative use of materials and proved a tough contender to the Technical College.
Combining world-class talent in design with those in the know at ground level, the WAN Education Award jury comprised one of the UK’s top headmasters - Anthony Seldon, two leading architects - Alan Ford and Julian Meyer, a director of the Government’s school procurement programme - Mairi Johnson and thirteen year old student - Courtney Alexander.