mcbride charles ryan: penleigh and essendon grammar school junior boys building

‘penleigh and essendon grammar school’ by mcbride charles ryan in victoria, australia all images courtesy mcbride charles ryan

australian architects mcbride charles ryan have just completed the ‘junior boys building at penleigh and essendon grammar school’, a two-storey educational facility in victoria, australia. located adjacent to a residential street, the design features a very discernible silhouette of a typical australian heritage home, referencing the local structural typology of the site.

(left) east facade (right) west facade

blocked out in black brickwork, the east facade is characterized by multiple peaks of varying heights. the overall form of the school is extruded from this outline and terminates at a low angle slope on the opposite side of the lot which opens up to an outdoor area for the students. the facade treatment of the main entrance employs a noticeably different effect of stripes and colours, a language that continues into the interior flooring.

main entrance and outdoor area

approach

street view

contrary to the blunt angles of the exterior, the ceiling is formed in a continuous, cloud-like surface. shaping the hallway as well as the classrooms, the resulting effect is a playful sculpting of the interior space.

hallway