Pultney Grammar Gymnasium

The Robert Henshall Sport Centre has consolidated the built form to the northern boundary of Pulteney Grammar School and has defined the new north-south pedestrian corridor through the campus.  The gymnasium and associated work to the environs presents a defined entry from Gilles Street and the new opening created by the removal of the existing Gymnasium has enabled the former Gilles Arms Hotel, a Local Heritage Place, to become a feature on the site and part of this important entrance.

With the relatively large bulk required of the sports facility set behind the existing change facility, the two-storey scale has been retained to the street edge providing both a positive contribution to the streetscape and the retention of the established building profiles typical of this precinct.

Wrapping over and around the refurbished change facility retained from the previous Gymnasium, the new building continues to the south as the first stage of a double Gymnasium.  Mindful of the potential barrier facilities such as these can create the lower portion of the east and west walls are glass with the precast concrete cladding starting above door height.  This transparency fosters visual connection between the internal and external spaces, augments daylighting on the playing surface and promotes connection between the public and private realm. 

The future stage is to replicate the new built form.  To close the southern facade a Danpalon clad wall has been introduced in conjunction with an internal full height stainless steel ball guard. The reverse fixed system presents a smooth face to the exterior to the south and continues this objective to provide further illumination.

Utilising robust materials and refined detailing has resulted in an extremely serviceable external building skin appropriate to this inner city location.