Inclusive student-centred design at Vermont South Special School

Vermont South Special School’s existing learning neighbourhoods lacked features essential for delivering an inclusive education. The school design is reimagined while preserving the secure internal courtyard as the heart of the school, fostering both independence and social interaction.

Our multidisciplinary team collaborated closely with the school community to deliver a new building that houses learning neighbourhoods, art, science, library, food technology and therapy spaces, all arranged around the central courtyard. Enhanced indoor-outdoor connections create opportunities for both structured and informal learning, while comprehensive landscaping adds shade and seating, transforming the courtyard into a natural, calming environment that encourages physical activity and social interaction.

The design is tailored for students with diverse learning needs, featuring intuitive wayfinding supporting structured movement and shared communal spaces that create a sense of belonging. Natural colours and tactile materials create a calming atmosphere, with textural timber and patterned brickwork serving as sensory devices externally and soft internal finishes, promoting a supportive environment for students and teachers. Classrooms, now featuring glazing that opens directly onto the central courtyard, are flooded with natural light and have improved air circulation, further enhancing the learning environment.

Sustainability is embedded through recycled cream bricks that reference the local vernacular, water tanks for conservation and passive design principles that optimise natural light and ventilation. An energy-efficient heat exchange system enhances indoor air quality while delivering heating and cooling.

The revitalised spaces offer greater versatility, supporting both indoor and outdoor teaching activities. Feedback from staff highlights improved teaching experiences, with students demonstrating increased engagement and autonomy, creating a nurturing environment that will benefit the school community for years to come.