A landmark school building project in Queensland constructed in a short timeframe showcases Fleetwood Australia’s expertise in modular design and construction.
A new double-storey modular building designed to withstand its bushfire-prone environment is providing students at Woodridge State High School in Logan, Queensland with a contemporary learning environment.
Built by Fleetwood Australia, which provides modular building solutions for schools, the prefabricated structure enabled most of the construction works to be completed off-site, significantly reducing on-site disruption.
“Modular construction was chosen for this project to meet the strict timeline and quality requirements set by the Department of Education,” Mr Danny Howlett, Fleetwood Australia’s General Manager, Queensland said.
“The off-site construction process reduced on-site disturbances and allowed for rapid installation, essential for an educational facility with a specific occupancy deadline.”
The modular approach also offered flexibility in adapting to unexpected design changes, allowing off-site construction to continue while council approval delays occurred with the site.
“Due to council-imposed location changes to avoid an existing sewer main, the design was adapted efficiently within a condensed schedule. Additionally, the building’s materials were chosen for energy efficiency and resilience, particularly the fibre cement sheet cladding and perforated aluminium screens which help in regulating internal temperatures,” Mr Howlett said.
The rapidly built project, designed in collaboration with Florian Heise of Heise Architecture, showcases innovative design elements. The design incorporates vertically aligned aluminium battens with a subtle colour gradient. This gives the building a modern and professional aesthetic while also drawing attention to the unique style of the lift tower.
The building’s position, combined with the definitive yet permeable batten elements, defines an edge. The verticality of the design creates an opportunity for landscape architect Fred St to introduce new greenspace, which spills out from the surrounding buildings, providing new opportunities for learning, play, and socialising.
“One of the challenging and rewarding aspects of designing educational projects is finding opportunities to create bonus extra spaces where children can play, learn, and socialise. Working together with a great team, we managed to deliver a beautiful new school build, along with bonus spaces that’ll be remembered for a lifetime,” Mr Heise said.
Woodridge State High School is a co-educational, state secondary school which opened in 1972 and currently has an enrolment of 1,200 students.
The new building project features 20 modules, arranged in two 10-module, double-story configurations.
“These buildings serve as versatile, high school learning spaces with customised kitchenet and teaching walls suited to educational needs,” Mr Howlett said.
Constructed with structural steel, corrugated iron roofing, and fibre cement sheet cladding, the building’s materials were selected specifically for fire resistance and durability.
One of the project’s standout architectural feature is the lift shaft, clad in Stratco’s NINELINE Box profile.
It marks the first instance of the NINELINE range being used in Queensland, making it a landmark project for both Stratco and Fleetwood, said Mr Eric Lien, National Architectural and Specifications Manager for Stratco Architectural Solutions.
“The NINELINE Box profile, developed by Stratco Australia in conjunction with Studio Nine Architects, an Adelaide based architectural studio has been well received by architects and specifiers. Due to its geometric shape, Box profile provides excellent water proofing drainage, channelling water down its surface.
“The inspiration for the NINELINE series came from the desire for an alternative to the standard corrugated shape, creating profiles that provide visual interest both up close and en masse,” Mr Lien said.
NINELINE Box cladding fit the brief by offering a cost-effective, locally manufactured product made from Australian made COLORBOND materials which would enhance the overall aesthetics of Woodridge State High School.
The cladding can be cut to size, overlapped, and extends up to six meters vertically, allowing for a seamless, continuous aesthetic.
“This innovative choice of cladding, combined with aluminium perforated screens and vertical fins, provides both functional protection and visual interest, aligning with the architect’s vision of a high-impact, modern educational building that harmonises with its surroundings,” Mr Howlett said.
The Woodridge project’s modular approach also provided significant cost savings by reducing time and labour on-site.
“Traditional construction would have required extensive coordination and travel, but the off-site manufacturing allowed us to produce the modules efficiently and minimise on-site setup time,” he said.
“Screw-pile foundations were employed to avoid the logistical challenges and costs associated with concrete delivery, while modifications to kitchen and teaching walls were completed with precision off-site, reducing the need for extensive on-site alterations.”
The modular construction approach also allowed Fleetwood to execute the project within a condensed timeline, meeting the Department of Education’s goal to have the building ready in only three months.
“This scheduling efficiency reduced labour costs, while the durable materials chosen, such as epoxy flooring and vinyl, ensure lower long-term maintenance costs,” Mr Howlett said.
“The design and execution were optimised for cost-effectiveness, meeting high standards for both durability and function, while also allowing for potential future to relocate the structures.”
Solutions focused
From private schools competing in ‘infrastructure arms races’ to state governments committing substantial funds to rapidly construct new schools, the education construction sector is booming.
But, as Fleetwood Australia points out, labour shortages, costly materials, and bureaucratic hurdles all hinder progress.
“The challenges of building new classrooms and school buildings mean many schools turn to prefabricated solutions to meet swelling class numbers,” Mr Howlett said.
“But for schools who dedicate so much to building pride in their students, whole terms in inadequate classrooms can erode that feeling very quickly. In short, schools are forced to build buildings they’ll later regret.”
Whether for Government, Catholic or Independent schools, Fleetwood Australia said its modern modular school buildings are the smart way to build classrooms that last.
“We use cutting-edge methods that mean school leaders can look beyond traditional solutions in order to build new spaces for students to grow with less wastage, more energy efficiency, faster and economical, with modern materials that stand up to our harshest conditions, installed anywhere in the country,” he said.
With the ability to build off-site, and complete an entire installation over the school holidays, working with Fleetwood Australia offer numerous benefits, including cost-effective customisable designs that minimise disruption.
Whether for early learning centres, primary or secondary schools, Fleetwood Australia can assist school boards and leadership with any capital works projects.
“From the school leadership including principals and head of schools, to business and operational leaders such as school board members and directors, Modern Modular can meet their students’ needs as well as the business needs of the school,” Mr Howlett said.
Fleetwood Australia understands that pride in a school starts with the buildings themselves.
“For many school leaders, their motivation and drive is to create a school that not only achieves academically, but is one that they and their community can be proud of,” he said.
“While the staff and students create the culture of a school, the quality and strength of the buildings themselves reflect the value in arriving every day to teach and learn.
“Whether they are career educators or alumni serving voluntarily on the school board or council, they genuinely care about improving the school and leaving it better than they found it.”
To find out about how Fleetwood Australia can build a modern modular building for your school, visit: fleetwood.com.au
