Master Plan 2020 to 2040
On Wednesday evening (4 November), I was delighted to present our Master Plan to a number of interested parents. This twenty year plan will help to strengthen and improve our position as a leading girls' school with first class facilities, focussed on contemporary teaching and learning environments in the decades ahead.
In 2019, the School invited four architects to share their presentations to the Project Management Group. BSPN Architecture were selected as the preferred designer and commissioned to prepare a Campus Master Plan for the entire site at South Brisbane.
Essentially, the Campus Master Plan 2020 to 2040 has identified seven buildings that will be refurbished and repurposed:
- Chambers building will be repurposed to accommodate:
- The Betty Churcher Art Gallery
- The Jessie Andrews Archives
- Front Door Reception for School Tours for new families
- Chambers Room to remain
- Under the Clock café to remain
- Cumbooquepa building to accommodate:
- School Leadership Team – Deputy Principal, Dean of Academic Programs
- Finance
- Communication and Admissions
- Administrative Offices for Corporate Staff
- Foundation Office
- Old Girls’ Association Meeting Room
- Lunchroom and Amenities
- D Block – Level 4 to accommodate:
- The John Darnell Staff Common Room
- Bridgwood Staff Work Areas (fifty-two desks)
- Staff Reception
- Meeting Rooms for students/staff
- D Block – Level 3 to accommodate:
- Constructivist Makerspaces
- A Block to accommodate:
- Upgraded general learning classrooms (eight in total)
- Heads of Year Offices for 10, 11 and 12
- Administrative Office
- Seniors’ Lounge (multipurpose)
- Extension to VPAC Performance seating capacity
- Refurbishment and addition to Somerfare, Junior School Canteen
Further, to facilitate the new Senior Precinct project, the Master Plan caters for the following new buildings:
- D Block (western end):
- Extend the Level 5 Mall to expand to the Heritage Garden
- Setback the proposed structure to reveal Cumbooquepa and A Block
- Create functional Drama studios
- Four General Learning Areas
- New Senior Precinct
- Four Specialist Learning Areas
- New Art Precinct
- Senior Café for Years 7 to 12
- Sixteen General Learning Areas
- Quiet Study Zones
- Changeroom and locker facilities
- Field Store Room
- Extended Sports Facility
- Basement Car Park
- 2 x Indoor Courts
- Spectator Seating
- Changeroom Facilities
- Additional teaching General Learning Areas
- Administration Lunchroom, Kitchen and Amenities in Cumbooquepa
Campus parking
The following points have been considered in campus planning:
- Review of on-site parking (staff and visitors)
- Review of set-down zones
- Review of campus safety and control points
- Legible and efficient pedestrian circulation and way-finding strategies
Proposed external works:
- Lobby Brisbane City Council to rationalise dedicated set-down zone on Graham Street
- Provide additional (safe) set-down zone at frontage of extended sports facility on Stephens Road
The following video captures the presentation and broad overview of the Master Plan:
If time does not permit the viewing of the video, then please enjoy these images that capture an impression of our improved campus at the School site and at SomerFields, our Dunn Road sporting facility at Rocklea.
This chance to enhance the current educational curriculum for English, Maths and Languages by providing state-of-the-art teaching spaces in the new Senior Precinct project is much needed and will reflect a contemporary world-leading teaching and learning environment for staff and Senior School students.
It is especially exciting to create much needed specialist teaching spaces for the Art Precinct, along with new Drama studios. A highlight of the Master Plan is the creation of constructivist makerspaces on Level 3 of D Block, thus creating a STEAM Precinct. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as the contact for guiding student analysis, exchange of ideas and critical thinking. STEAM thinking develops students who consider a thoughtful risk-taking approach, through engagement in experiential learning, problem solving persistence, a propensity to collaborate and work through the creative process. A STEAM approach and constructivist makerspaces will help Somerville House develop the innovators and creative thinkers of our future.
As a final point, Stage 1 of the Master Plan is due to commence in December 2021. More specific details of the restoration of the Heritage Heart, with A Block refurbishment and widening of the Mall, will be shared in the New Year. Our renewal project means we will have a host of built-for-purpose classrooms and facilities to serve us well over the ensuing decades.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal