Year completed
2022, 20 Months
Service
Project Management, Quantity Surveying
Value
$12.3M
Builder
Bryant Building Contractors
Architect
Biscoe Wilson Architects
Location
The Gap, Brisbane
The Challenge
Following the completion of Block Q in 2019, design work commenced on the new Arts block well within the school grounds. When we thought the project was ready, the entire brief changed to incorporate more spaces to accommodate the ever-growing school, and we had to start again. Knowing that the sloping site had rock beneath it, that we needed to excavate down to build the undercroft car park, and that students needed to occupy the building in January 2022, we had our challenge to overcome.
The Solution
After going through 2 boring machines, ten weeks of excavation into rock, finding asbestos in the ground and wet weather, we finally poured the car park slab. We had no chance of meeting the handover date of January 2022. Temporary modular buildings were installed on the sports courts to cover the school’s enrollment growth while the building was being completed.
As a complex job on a sloping site, the contractor did exceptionally well to overcome the struggles of the COVID-19 outbreak, lockdowns, labour shortages and rising construction costs to deliver a fantastic building. The design complements the site while providing light-filled learning spaces and flexible art spaces to be creative.
The new 4 Level Building consists of the basement car park with 31 spaces, an open undercroft with two drama rooms, 12 General Learning Classrooms, 2 Visual Arts Rooms, 2 Art Courts, 2 Breakout Spaces, 1 Outdoor Learning Area, a Staff Workroom with kitchenette and 2 HOD Offices.