Educational Design · Perth, Western Australia
Silver
Tree
Project Overview
A gateway between
two worlds.
Silver Tree is a school administration building designed to become the face of the school — a welcoming, community-building presence that creates a magical transition between the everyday world and the children's world within. The school had experienced continuous growth, and this new administration building with reception gives it a front door worthy of the community it serves.
The overall intention is to create a building that is simultaneously welcoming to students, parents and visitors — an entry point, a resting place, and a meeting ground for the school community. Architecture as community infrastructure.
Concept
A cylindrical tower as a portal — passing through it, you leave the exterior world and enter the children's magical world within.
A welcoming face
for a growing school.
A new cylindrical tower forms the portal between the exterior world and the children's world — a powerful, legible architectural gesture that children and families can identify with from the street. Passing through the portal, the community hub with its exposed wooden structure and high-pitched roof creates an immediate sense of warmth and welcome.
The administration building sits adjacent to the community hub, with a transparent reception and staff offices overlooking the entry — creating visibility, safety and a sense of connection between the school's administration and the families it serves. The sequence of spaces — portal, hub, reception — creates a considered journey from street to school.
Architecture as community infrastructure — a building that strengthens the bonds between school, family and neighbourhood.
The design is as much about the experience of arrival as it is about the building itself — creating a sequence of moments that make children and parents feel welcomed, safe and connected to the school community every single day.
Design features
built into every detail
Cylindrical Tower Portal
A powerful cylindrical form marks the threshold between the exterior world and the school within — a legible, memorable architectural gesture that children and families can identify with daily.
Community Hub
An exposed timber structure with high-pitched roof creates a warm, sheltered gathering space — a place to rest, meet, wait and greet that reinforces the school community every morning and afternoon.
Transparent Reception
Administration offices and reception overlooking the entry — creating visibility, safety and a welcoming connection between the school's staff and the families they serve.
Arrival Sequence
Portal → hub → reception — a considered sequence of spaces that makes every arrival at school a positive, community-strengthening experience for children and parents alike.
Exposed Timber Structure
Natural timber framing brings warmth, character and an honest material presence to the community hub — connecting the building to the natural environment and the values of the school.
School as Community
Architecture designed not just for function but for belonging — a building that strengthens the bonds between school, family and neighbourhood through daily spatial experience.
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