Noosa Flexible Learning Centre

Noosa Flexible Learning Centre is currently under construction in its new location at 2 Girraween Court, Sunshine Beach with completion estimated for April 2014.

The campus is made up of a number of lightweight pavilions scattered across the site in an effort to minimise environmental impact and create a more informal setting. The campus includes an administration building, canteen, general learning areas including art and manual arts, music centre and amenities all connected via raised timber walkways and outdoor gathering spaces. The design is focused around creating a ‘beach shack’ atmosphere, while building on principals of informal learning. It attempts to develop the notion of engaging with the surrounding environment as potential learning spaces.

Sustainable outcomes and environmental awareness were important aspects of the design. Minimal site disturbance, thoughtful use of materials and maximising natural ventilation were key considerations in the design. The sustainable initiatives extended to the alternative stormwater design whereby excess runoff that is not harvested by the water tank system, can be treated naturally through gravel pits located under the raised buildings – resulting in no additional load on the surrounding stormwater systems and catchments. The stormwater design (by Bligh Tanner Consulting Engineers) was the focus of a paper which won Best Paper at the Stormwater Industry Association (Qld) Conference last year.

To see the progress of this project follow Noosa Flexible Learning Centre on Twitter! https://twitter.com/Noosa_Flexi_FTA