Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, East Keilor Campus

Over the last six years, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS) has undertaken a major building program, and in doing so, has transformed its East Keilor campus. This program included the development of three distinct precincts: the Year 11 and 12 School (‘The Infinity Centre’), the Middle Boys School and the Middle Girls School. 

The aim of this ambitious building program was to provide a diverse campus environment with high quality teaching spaces designed to respond to the particular needs of its distinct student groups. In each of these ‘schools’, careful consideration was given to providing a relevant individual identity and a unique architectural atmosphere.

With the completion of the three projects, the school council endorsed master plan is complete. In the execution of the master plan, the school has a shown a commitment to pursue a campus with a diverse range of architectural responses. The campus, which could have previously been considered hostile and uninteresting, has now been transformed into a place with a carefully orchestrated sequence of rich and complex internal and external spaces, all of which immeasurably enhance the staff and student experience.

The three different schools on the campus offer distinct identities to distinguish themselves within the campus while remaining in keeping with the ethos of the school. The use of colour, dramatic entrances, large skylights, glazed bricks and fluid design encourage imagination and infinite learning, both of which are key concepts behind the building design.