WOOGAROO CREEK  STATE  SCHOOL

State Primary School for

Queensland Department of Education with

F.K. Gardner & Sons (FKG) 

Augustine Heights, Queensland, Australia                
Completed 2024 

Woogaroo Creek State School is one of many greenfield primary and secondary schools being rolled out by the Queensland Government for the fast growing Ipswich suburb of Augustine Heights. Chapman Leijenaar joined Open Architecture Studio as senior collaboration partner and design lead. 

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The concept design for the school was prepared by Cox Architecture with Ridgemill serving as project managers. FKG was the successful tenderer, and having successfully delivered Foxwell State Secondary College, Gainsborough State School and Everleigh State School together, again invited OAS to serve as architect for the Design and Construct contract. OAS would be responsible for the detailed design development of the concept design, implementation of design changes, and value engineering with the consultant team.

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Great care was taken to retain the essence of the concept design, respectfully adjusting the master plan and materials palette to improve efficiencies and reduce long term maintenance.

 

A colour scheme was developed with the principal, inspired by the Black-chinned Honeyeater, a rare bird species found in the eucalypt forests along Woogaroo Creek, which traverses the school grounds along the eastern boundary. The building facades primarily received neutral off-whites and warm greys, with occasional yellow, green and blue accents. Angular colour transitions mimic the shapely colour transitions in the bird's body, while layered shade structures reflect the layering of its feathers.
In the same way that the colouration of the bird merges it with its natural surroundings, the colouration of the building facades will respectfully unite the campus with its natural setting.         

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Phase 1 consists of administration, media resource centre, laboratories, teaching kitchens, a canteen with industrial kitchen, multi-purpose hall, sports facilities, as well as the preparatory and junior teaching blocks, and maintenance sheds.      

Phase 2 will consist of a second senior teaching block.