History:

Holroyd High School is in the Cumberland City Council. The Darug people are the original custodians of the Cumberland plains. This includes the Bidjigal, Wangal, Cennemegal or Weymaly, Burramattagal and Wategoro clans.

Community profile:

Holroyd High School is a government secondary school with a co-educational student population and comprehensive curriculums. The school also runs an Intensive English Centre and support unit for students with intellectual disabilities.

Design resolution:

Holroyd High School Library Upgrade was an exciting and challenging project. The project was driven by strong sustainable values, which led to the preservation of most of the existing building fabric and structure. The existing roof had frequent rain leaks and a new roof design was proposed. A new elevated clerestory was introduced to provide natural light to the centre of the building, given its large square footprint.
The extension of the building to the North follows the natural topography and is a naturally suited location for the new tiered seating auditorium. A new external amphitheatre is also proposed North of the building.

The proposed new layout for the library has smaller Study rooms and Seminar rooms located on the periphery and a central Main Area that is adaptable and ideal for collaboration and group activities.
One of the features of the design is the north facing coloured louvres that will provide sun shading and privacy to the internal spaces of the library. We aimed to celebrate local biodiversity, which inspired our colour palette. We initially looked at local flora, such as the Acacia Eucalyptus Nicholii (narrow-leaved black peppermint) and the Syzygium (magenta Lilly Pilly). The result is a welcoming and calm yet vibrant array of green and yellow tones.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.