Arthur Phillip High School, NSW

Located in the heart of Parramatta, Arthur Phillip High School is the first vertical school for the NSW Government and a landmark education project for the state. It was described by the department of education as a “showcase” for the delivery of multi-storey education facilities in response to metropolitan Sydney’s increasing residential density.

Grimshaw Architects and BVN won the contract to design the 16-storey school following an international design competition in 2016.

Very different to sprawling single storey campuses, the vertical ideology presented a new set of challenges for the design team. The increased Safety and performance criteria associated with high rise buildings were key amongst these and affected the choice of building materials, including the window selection.

Safetyline Jalousie were found to be the best solution for the school for several reasons.

First, louvres could offer the largest free air area of any window type, maximising natural ventilation into the building and into classrooms. Safetyline were the most flexible louvre option in regards to size offering 1.4 metre wide banks at 3m high whilst meeting all of the performance criteria for wind and water on all levels of the building.

In addition to the performance specifications, Safetyline Jalousie’s unique design tackled the safety concerns associated with education projects, particularly in regards to balustrade compliance, fall prevention window and impact resistance.

The design of the windows ensures that there is no risk of falls, even when the windows are fully open. The same applies to the strength of the system. Safetyline Jalousie louvres have been impact tested to an incredible 550kg and being top pivoted with no exposed edges on the internal side, the risk of accidents and injury is further reduced.

The use of laminated glass guarded against the possibility of shattering. If one of the windows does break, it presents less of a threat to students because the glass is held together by its interlayer.

Safetyline Jalousie delivered approximately 2,000sqm of windows for this project. Each louvre window meets the rigid wind, water and safety requirements that were key requisites in all aspects of the school’s design.

Project Specifications

Quantity Supplied 580
Colour/Finish Powder Coat Monument Matt-9008189M
Louvres 6.38mm Laminate Glass
Operation Combination Levers & Motors
Architect Grimshaw Architects  & BVN