Originally designed by AV Jennings in the mid-1970s as one of Victoria's first open-plan schools, Kingston Heath Primary School currently caters to 160 students from Prep to Grade 6, with a projected growth to 340 in mind. The project provided a much needed upgrade and modernisation of two Learning Centres together with extensive landscaping and outdoor learning spaces.

The core challenge was to rethink how the large, open-plan spaces were functioning. While the original pedagogy championed complete openness, teachers were creating makeshift classrooms in corners and co-teaching wasn't being embraced. The ability to focus a class was often lost, highlighting the need for flexible, adaptable spaces that could offer a balance between open and enclosed learning environments.

Learning Centres 2 and 3 were fully refurbished to create individual classrooms with large glazed acoustic sliding doors that can open or close to each adjoining space. All classrooms are accessed off a central gathering space to encourage casual interaction and collaboration. Internal glazing between spaces creates a feeling of spaciousness, and each classroom now has direct connection to its own outdoor courtyard.

Beyond the internal rebuild, new entrances have been created and connecting walkways reorganised to remove clutter and open up a large landscaped central courtyard that flows seamlessly into new play spaces and outdoor learning area, supporting student-centred learning and anticipated future growth.