Timbarra P-9 College is an educational project that supports the growth and development of Prep to Year 9 students who attend the highly esteemed school located in Berwick. Ian McEwan Architects and CK Architecture jointly designed the addition of a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) building to the existing school. Approximately 522sqm, the new building is connected to the current secondary school area of the college to house state-of-the-art facilities enabling the school to include STEAM in their academic program.

Answering the client brief, the STEAM facility has been designed and configured to provide contemporary and flexible learning spaces to cater to the school’s need for the delivery of their curriculum. Factors considered in the design include enabling the delivery of the curriculum in a variety of modes including large and small groups as well as individual settings, by providing modifiable learning spaces and furniture resources that can be set up in different ways. The provision of informal spaces also aims to promote social interaction and collaboration. To complement the multiple collaborative learning spaces, the STEAM building is equipped with purpose-built amenities including a green screen for students to produce videos, a radio room, and an outdoor BBQ. Timbarra embraces both indoor and outdoor learning environments.

Constructed by Jointly and completed in 2021, the new STEAM building stands to enhance the college’s profile when viewed externally from Parkhill Drive.