The GISS school management is very excited to announce that the board has approved the construction of three new classrooms for the 2022 school year. These classrooms will address our immediate needs for classroom space as we embark on a longer-term master plan to ensure GISS is ready for the future of learning. 

GISS has decided to work with a local company to deliver the first classrooms in Australia built to the international Passivhaus standard. We will use a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure manufactured by an Austrian company and German manufactured triple glazed windows & doors. The highly energy efficient building envelope will ensure comfortable temperatures all year round, with minimal heating and cooling required.

GISS Chair Olaf Pietschner comments: “After evaluating several options, we are convinced that these classrooms will become the gold standard for sustainable and people-centred learning environments in Australia. And we will achieve all that on a very tight budget.”

The design is based on biophilic design principles, which means it aims to connect the students to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, space and place conditions. Our students and teachers will enjoy a bright, healthy and sustainable teaching environment, including a heat recovery ventilation system to improve indoor air quality. The full natural timber structure has a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional construction. Roof-mounted solar panels will generate enough electricity to cater for all energy needs, like cooling, IT and lighting.

Our architect Knut Menden has been involved in award winning Australian school design for 13 years, and is well known for energy efficient sustainable buildings, particularly built from low carbon mass timber. - Kristian Wolf

new classrooms at giss