AJ+C applies Passive House principles to early education environment

28.05.19

Musical artist and renowned children’s entertainer, Mrs Naomi Young (“Nay Nay”) officially opened the new AJ+C designed Meriden Junior School Lingwood Campus in Strathfield. The Lingwood Campus is a Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten open to girls and boys.

The project provides a purpose-built space for 132 pupils and 12 staff. The vision was to design a space that aligns with Meriden’s strategic plan, their vision and the Fidelis Model, a framework that unites and coordinates all aspects of a student’s learning in Christian Schools.

The campus includes:
• Six new purpose-built classrooms
• Two new art rooms
• Restoration and adaption of the existing ‘Lingwood House’ into a library, reception and staff area.
• 2 new play areas
• A COLA (covered outdoor learning area)

Dr Michele Benn, Head of Meriden’s Junior School, said Lingwood Campus was built with the understanding that the physical environment plays a pivotal role in the social, emotional and academic development of young children.

“A purpose-built site, where everything is designed to meet the needs of the children, can reduce environmental stressors and contributes to the safe and supportive environment that is optimal for our youngest students,” Dr Benn said.

“Lingwood’s classrooms are designed so students experience a real connection between indoor and outdoor learning because of their glass sliding doors and covered outdoor areas adjacent to classrooms. This is particularly important for this age group as it helps to facilitate play-based learning. Through play, children improve their problem-solving and flexible thinking skills, they learn how to process and display emotions and how to interact with others.”

With the unwavering commitment of our client, AJ+C has taken a number of sustainability initiatives on the project through to its completion, including the installation of solar panels, rainwater harvesting and designing the new building to ‘Passive house’ principles. Passive house (German: Passivhaus) is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building’s ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.

Meriden comprises three adjacent campuses: Lingwood (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten), Junior School (Years 1 – 6) and Senior School (Years 7 – 12). AJ+C are currently working on projects in all three campuses.

Congratulations to the AJ+C project team Mark Louw, Giselle Moore, Antony Di Cristo, Pip Bowling, Ian Hollen, Michele Edens, David Haire, Katie Barnes, Kris Ormuz, Tom Rogers.

For more information on this project please contact Mark Louw mark.louw@architectsajc.com

Photo: Scott Norton, Antony Di Cristo, Katie Barnes, Michele Edens, Giselle Moore, David Haire