WestEndStateSchoolExpansion
WestEnd,QLD
$38M
Project value
2022
Delivery
2
Stages
4
Levels
Hutchies is honoured to have worked with the Department of Education on the expansion of the 144 year old West End State School (WESS) campus in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.
The WESS expansion was delivered by Hutchies across two stages, as part of the Queensland Government’s Building Future Schools Fund, which is investing more than $1.3 billion to support growing communities.
The project is an exciting milestone for the local West End community, which has seen exponential growth from urban regeneration over the last few years.
We delivered the first new general learning building on the corner of Horan and Ambleside streets, along with a new pick-up/drop-off zone. The new multi-storey learning centre accommodates 16 learning spaces and be surrounded by outdoor landscaped areas.
An official sod-turning ceremony was held on 6 November 2019 with Deputy Premier and Local Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad, Education Minister Grace Grace, and WESS Principal Kim McNamara to celebrate the start of construction.
Designed by Cox Architecture, Stage 1 respects the school’s original foundation building which was built in 1875 and is a local heritage landmark. Further, the use of a simple material and colour palette, mixed with clever detailing across the new buildings will ensure a long lasting and timeless design, in fitting with surrounding iconic Queensland character buildings.
As Hutchies neared the end of stage 1, we were awarded the contract for stage 2. We attribute this to our high level of workmanship and our strong relationships with the school and surrounding community. As well as the having completed several projects for the Department of Education and the Superintendent. The relationship is extremely positive and has been built on a proactive, open and collaborative approach which provided an organised, efficient and professional relationship and outcome.
KimMcNamara,Principal,WestEndStateSchoolAs a principal who has led many schools through the building processes, this has been the best experience I have had. This is despite the project being quite complex, and if you include both stages, the biggest! Most impressive has been your team’s ability to problem solve to achieve the outcome we are happy with and still stay true to the design detail. The team have faced some challenges, particularly due to COVID disruptions, and in each circumstance, they have worked quietly behind the scenes to solve any problems that have arisen with excellent results!
#Awards
2022 AIB Queensland Commercial Construction $25 million - $60 million
2022 AIB National Commercial Construction $25 million - $60 million
As a century old local business, Hutchies takes great pride in working with our local communities to deliver important social infrastructure, like what we are building at West End State School. Our work with the Department of Education spans back to one of our earliest projects which was Bulimba State School in 1914. Now in 2020 our team is excited to handover a new vertical school and the first brand new inner Brisbane state high school in more than 50 years – the new Fortitude Valley State Secondary College. Our work together as spanned more than a century and we’re proud to have delivered quality places for generations of learning across the state.
#Sod Turning Ceremony
TheHonourableGraceGraceMP,MinisterforEducationandMinisterforIndustrialRelationsWe are looking forward to working with Hutchies to build this great facility, just like they are with the new school in Fortitude Valley, which is coming in leaps and bounds and we’re very excited to open that in 2020 as well.