The Centre for Science & Art, Abbotsleigh Senior School
A dual-discipline building forms a pivotal addition to this master-planned Sydney campus, underscoring the school's emphasis on STEAM.
Here you have a new centre already embedded in nature, embraced by mature blue gums. That’s very rare, and very special.
—Dua Green, AJC Director
In form and function, the Centre for Science & Art treads lightly on its site, woven between remnant blue gum forest and two heritage houses bookending the campus.
It’s two organically shaped wings – one for science, one for art – are joined centrally by a curved glass-enclosed walkway. In the spirit of scientific inquiry, the science wing expresses its material construction with interiors left raw and services exposed, while the art wing’s workshops and studios are dappled with soft natural light from windows and skylights to the south.
Multi-use assembly spaces, staff and meeting rooms and informal breakout areas are distributed through both wings, with unprogrammed public spaces adjoining the glass bridge at either end, fostering dialogue between art and science exhibitions and happenings.
Project Facts
Location |
Darramuragal & Dharug Country, Wahroonga, NSW |
Client |
Abbotsleigh Senior School |
Services |
Architecture, Interior Design |
Complete |
2023 |
Photography |
Ben Gutherie |
Awards
2024, NSW Architecture Awards, Education, Shortlisted
2023, WAF Awards, School, Shortlisted
2023, INDE Awards, Learning Space, Shortlisted
2023, MBA, Excellence in State Awards, Private Schools - Winner
