Senior : Communications : Master Plan
Building on our foundations
Throughout 2004, a review of the school's future needs took place. In doing so we considered such variables as school size, curriculum changes, open space, sporting facilities, the upgrade and modernisation of current facilities and the readaptation of existing buildings. A draft report was then distributed to a broad section of the school and wider community for comment and many suggestions from this consultation were incorporated in the final document.
School Council adopted the new Master Plan to guide the physical development of the school over the next 10 years. Included in the plan were additional high quality classrooms, improved student services and facilities, expanded library areas, modern drama and visual arts facilities, additional sporting facilities, modern boarding houses, improvements to the school's entry/exit, a new home base for the Cadet Unit and Pipe Band, a centralised Adminsitration Centre and the expansion of off-street undercover parking.
It is a comprehensive and sequential plan which sensitively transforms and modernises the school's facilities over time.
Setting our priorities: Stage 1 - Knox Grammar 1 (KG1)
Completed in 2007, the first building project was a major extension to the southern side of the Lawson Centre. The building covers the area which was roadway and at a height of two stories, it provides views across Knox 1. The building wraps around the Lawson Centre to its eastern side.
What does KG1 include?
KG1 was designed to blend sensitively with the school's main icon building with many of the Scottish Baronial style architectural features of the main building incorporated into its design. Architects Gardner Wetherill Associates, who designed the K-2 Centre at the Preparatory School, worked on this new building.
Stage 1 was construction of the building which adjoins the existing Lawson Centre, facing east to Knox 1 and north to the railway line. |
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The ground floor incorporates, at the concealed railway-side of the Lawson Centre, grounds and maintenance facilities, loading docks, lift access and sports' storage areas. Additional change rooms, leading onto Knox 1, complete this level.
The first level of the new building aligns with the level of the gymnasium floor where twelve new classrooms, staffroom, toilet, change/shower facilities and student locker areas have been built.
The joining of the two buildings provided for an upgrade of the gymnasium with new flooring and the formation of permanent tiered seating around the court areas.
The second level joins the gymnasium at the mezzanine level and houses a new canteen, sit-down dining facilities for all boys and a new dining room for boarders. It has been designed in such a way that it can be quickly modified to be used as a major function centre for anywhere between 50-400 guests. A long external viewing deck completes the design. |
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Stage 2: 21st Century Boarding Centre
The new Knox Boarding Centre is due for completion mid 2010. The Boarding Centre will house 155 boys from 2010, this will increase with the complete refurbishment of Gillespie House in 2011 to 200 Boarders in total from Year 7.
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Entrance from Woodville Avenue:
Great Hall on the left
Knox Boarding Centre on the right
New Knox entry |
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Stage 3: Great Hall and Swim Centre
The Great Hall will be capable of housing the whole school in one place. To be located alongside the Lawson Centre. A new Aquatic Centre incorporating a 50 metre swimming pool and a new weights room will be sited adjacent the Great Hall on the Woodville Avenue frontage.
The facility will offer the following uses:
- An Assembly Hall that will seat up to 2,300 people.
- An appropriate venue in which to hold examinations.
- Indoor basketball and other sports/PE programs.
- A large function centre to host major school community events.
- Competition level 50 metre pool plus purpose built "learn to swim" pool.
As part of this development it is proposed to completely upgrade the Woodville Avenue entrance and access to the School campus will be along a realigned boulevard. Additional parking will be provided within the school precinct. |
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Great Hall |
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Great Hall Foyer |
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Swim Centre beneath the Great Hall
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Planned to follow:
Upgraded Visual Arts facilities
Redeveloped Library/Resource Centre
Dedicated Drama Theatre
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