Perched at the gateway to the Outback, this new STEM learning facility derives its inspiration from the outback station shed, a place where ingenuity, innovation, resourcefulness and improvisation in isolation from the services of the city must be called upon to resolve the issues of the day and keep the station running. Similarly, STEM learning is focused around bringing together the various strands of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to solve impromptu problems. The raw and unfinished nature of the Pt Augusta STEM facility not only caters for the nuance of project work – with its large connected ‘warehouse’ scale spaces and robust raw finishes that are impervious to or indeed improved from the patina of scratches, chips and stains – but inspires in the transparency of its exposed skeletal structure, engineering services and raw materiality. It is the ultimate outback workshop. Its prime location at the apex of the school’s learning precinct draws students via its large central outdoor learning area, which connects and invites the mixing of STEM and the visual arts; in effect, a true STEAM environment.

• Location Port Augusta, South Australia.
• Client Department for Education
• Completed 2018
• Budget $3.5M