Covered Play Area Links Classrooms
Architects Nth Qld Construction Consulting made a COLA the centre piece of the new Townsville Christian College. Most school master plans start with the layout of the classrooms and shade is an afterthought. But in North Queensland where hot summers and torential tropical rain is the norm, Barry Switzer and his team used an impressive Spantech shaded cover as the central feature to link eight new classrooms, a canteen and an amenities block.
The distinctive design features a raised celestial roof in the centre of the COLA. Enclosed with aluminium louvers, this deceptively simple roofing feature draws cool air throughout the structure and classrooms. It is a great benefit in the tropics. The roof is supported on curved structural steel beams manufactured and erected by M4Steel.
Scope
Spantech was engaged as a nominated subcontractor to provide the project with the following:
- Engineering design, inspections and certification;
- Structural steel;
- Spantech 370 Series curved roofing;
- Gutters and downpipes, flashings and trims;
- Roof access system;
- Maintenance manual, as-constructed drawings; and
- An extended 20 year warranty.
The project was completed on time and within budget. The school has since added another two classrooms to the COLA.
Future Plans
Future expansion at the school will duplicate the successful design adding modules of eight classrooms in each of the three future construction stages.
