The project

The 1884 Wesleyan Church on the grounds of Albert Park Primary School has long been an important part of school life. The ornate building has been included in school infrastructure from the very early days, with additions and adaptations made over the decades to meet changing needs.

In 2022, with this historic gem in need of restoration and repair, the Victorian School Building Authority tasked Searle x Waldron Architecture with the design of a truly flexible, multi-purpose space for the school community to enjoy.

The challenge

Amphitheatre seating is the centrepiece of the new design, providing students and staff with a place for performance, teaching, studying or relaxing. This single piece of joinery cleverly conceals a kitchenette, bathrooms, music room and storage underneath. The architects chose Hoop Pine Plywood for the structure, as they had used this timber on a similar project.

Project Architect, Pearl Dempsey says, "Hoop Pine Plywood has a grain that is quite even without many knots. It comes in high quality veneers so we knew we could achieve a really good finish that was modern, tactile and comfortable - somewhere the students might want to relax with a book."

Specifying a high performance timber coating was crucial to the project’s success. The architects wanted a highly durable, protective finish that celebrated the timber in its most honest form. It also needed to be easily maintained, suitable for high traffic areas, non-slip and both environment and budget friendly.

The Intergrain solution

Gareth Connell, Intergrain Trade & Industrial National Specifications Manager, recommended Enviropro Endure 2 Pack Matt for the stairs and bleachers, with Intergrain UltraGrip added to achieve a P4 slip rating. As a high performance water based polyurethane 2 pack, Enviropro Endure is fast drying, low VOC and exceeds the standards of the GBCA (Green Building Council of Australia).

"We've busted the traditional thinking about solvent based timber floor finishing systems by providing low VOC alternatives with equal to, or better than, performance to that of a traditional solvent based system," Gareth says. "Enviropro Endure is quick and easy to apply and highly durable over the long term."

Director Suzannah Waldron says, "We always consider environmental impacts when selecting products, and see water based coatings as a real positive."

The Enviropro Endure solution also:

• provided grip without creating a gritty, textured surface that would be difficult to clean
• has non-yellowing properties to preserve the timber's natural beauty
• met the constraints of the modest school budget

The floors underneath the structure were also coated in Enviropro Endure 2 Pack Matt, but without the Ultragrip added. Walls had three coats of water based Cabothane applied to create a clear, protective finish, also offering low VOC and good all round performance.

The results

Enviropro Endure gave the new timber a gorgeous, warm sheen, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to take centre stage. The surface is easy to clean and tough enough to handle all the knocks and spills of busy school life.

The exceptional new space 'Performance Hub' space was awarded a commendation in the Creative Adaptation Heritage Category in the 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards. Listed on the Heritage Register, the church is afforded the highest level of legal protection and conservation, so it's reassuring to know EnviroPro Endure successfully met heritage standards as well.

Feedback from the school has been extremely positive, with students, parents and teachers all enjoying the beauty and functionality of the new space.

The architects are thrilled with the outstanding results of their work, with Suzannah commenting, "Gareth was endlessly helpful with the coatings specification for this project. We achieved both beauty and functionality in a heritage space that has been preserved by the school community. It was a rewarding experience."

Get in touch

The Intergrain Trade & Industrial team bring expert product knowledge, service, and support to residential and commercial timber projects. Call our Help Line on 1800 630 285 to find out how we can support your next project. Or visit our project gallery for more inspiration.

Photo credit: Peter Bennetts