Education

The best learning environments inspire and engage students and educators. They are adaptable and sustainable, with intrinsic resilience to take them into the future.

DesignInc Sydney - Ultimo Public School
Ultimo Public School. Photography: Brett Boardman

Learning methodologies are evolving rapidly and that leads us into interesting conversations with educators because every project is different. At DesignInc, we are learning about education and pedagogy all the time, and that’s exactly how it should be.

We believe education buildings need to be outward-facing, expressing values of transparency and accessibility. Aspiring to support lifelong learning, wellbeing and neighbourhood regeneration often our projects share facilities with local communities. Complementing this idea of greater community engagement, diversity, environmental sustainability, and respect for Country are at the core of our education values.

Our education experience includes:

  • Early learning
  • OSHCH
  • Preschool
  • Primary and secondary school
  • Tertiary education
  • Laboratories

Creating spaces for future generations is our inspiration.

DesignInc’s education portfolio extends from leading universities and training institutions to local schools and kindergartens. Our work embraces generic teaching and learning spaces through to specialist research laboratories, STEAM environments, libraries and sport and performance spaces. Having designed Specialist and Supported Inclusion Schools, we draw on that experience to support inclusiveness and diversity in mainstream education settings.

The way we think about education starts with the way space can be shared and celebrated, as well as how the learning experience can be enhanced by what we create.

Christon Batey-Smith
Director, DesignInc Melbourne
Adelaide Botanic High School. Photography: Sam Noonan

Education Awards

YearAwardProject
2022 Winner, Ministers Award, Victorian School Design Awards Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2022 Finalist, Best School Project above $10M, Victorian School Design Awards Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2022 Commendation, Educational Architecture, National Architecture Awards, Australian Institute of Architects Ultimo Public School
2022 Winner, William E Kemp Award for Educational Architecture, Australian Institute of Architects (NSW) Ultimo Public School
2022 Overall Winner, Learning Environments Australasia Ultimo Public School
2022 Winner, New Construction / Entire New Education Facility, Learning Environments Australasia Ultimo Public School
2022 Commendation, New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia New Schools 2021 – Ramlegh Park Primary School
2021 Commendation, New Construction/Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia (VIC/TAS) New Schools 2020 – Lucas Primary School
2020 Commendation, Renovation / Modernisation over $5 Million, Learning Environments Australasia Lindfield Learning Village
2020 Shortlist Public Design, Australian Interior Design Awards Adelaide Botanic High School
2020 Commendation, New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia Adelaide Botanic High School
2019 Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture, Australian Institute of Architects (SA) Adelaide Botanic High School
2019 Gold Award, Built Environment Education, Design Institute of Australia (SA/NT) Awards Adelaide Botanic High School
2019 New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments (SA/NT) Adelaide Botanic High School
2019 Overall Winner, Learning Environments (SA/NT) Adelaide Botanic High School
2019 Winner, Adaptive Re-use $10m to $60m, Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Construction Awards Lindfield Learning Village
2018 Winner, Education Award, IIDA Global Excellence Awards Victoria University Building C Lecture Theatres + Active Learning Spaces
2015 Winner, International Design Competition, Schools Infrastructure NSW Ultimo Public School
Lindfield Learning Village. Photography: Tyrone Branigan