Emily Chapman Laing
A design project has brought thoughtful colour-blocking to Clyde Secondary College (CSC).
CSC’s architecture and design is a finalist for the 2023 Dulux Colour Awards.
Mcbride Charles Ryan in association with Kerstin Thompson Architects are responsible for the project.
The team’s work “exemplifies innovative and creative use of colour in the built environment”.
Lead interior designer Debbie Ryan said the team did a series of colour combinations over the schools they designed.
These included a primary school as well as Clyde and Greenvale Secondary Colleges.
The team chose natural timbers alongside varying colour schemes as a way-finding tool for students and parents.
“Because these schools are quite big, it really helps if they can say, ‘go to the orange building’,” Ms Ryan said.
“It’s really easy for parents and students to find where they are meant to be.”
Associate architect Katrina Owers said the colour-blocking is a way to break up repetition.
“The colour-blocking evolves as you move through the buildings,” Mrs Owers said.
Ms Ryan said the Clyde Secondary College students are thrilled with the design.
“We deliberately didn’t want to give an institutional look,” she said.
“Children spend a lot of time at school, there needs to be variety, because that expands their minds.
“We wanted buildings that had humanity.”
The Dulux Colour Award is the “premier award” for colour application in interior and exterior residential, public and commercial spaces.
The team joins 112 other finalists for the award.
“We’re really honoured,” Ms Ryan said.
“It’s really true to our ethos and our practice, because colour is a vital part of an environment.”
Ms Ryan said colour can influence the atmosphere of a space.
Bright, lively colours “can elevate the human spirit” and provide sensory stimulation.
The team wanted their designs to reflect colours they believed would incite joy in the student body.
“There’s always change,” Ms Ryan said.
“As the students get older, they move to a different colour area.
“So they don’t just go to school in the same colour scheme every day.”
The school gymnasium, often the least funded area of a school, now has a vibrant green design.
“There’s no space that has been ignored,” Ms Ryan said.
