ARCH undertook a Masterplan for the St John the Baptist Catholic School in 2019. Various challenges were identified during the Master Planning process driven by the continued growth in student enrolments.

The Stage 1 project responds to a number of the challenges identified by providing an improved street presence, additional learning spaces in flexible configurations, additional car parking and an enhanced connection between indoor and outdoor learning environments.

The project comprises a refurbishment and extension to an existing two storey building with the construction of six new flexible GLA spaces, a large Breakout Area (complete with a flexible STEAM learning facility) and Outdoor Learning spaces. Early discussions with the School highlighted key project descriptors of 'baptism', water and the environment. This environmental connection is represented by architectural features such as external timber fins representing tree trunks, tree graphics to the external balcony balustrade and leaf motifs throughout.  

High level windows and soaring ceilings provide important visual connections to the adjoining Parish while also accentuating the indoor/outdoor connection to the environment.