The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science by Cox Architects is a school science building designed around curiosity, research and long-term educational use.
The project supports Year 7 to Year 12 students with general and specialist laboratories, student-led research spaces, preparation areas, staff spaces and an auditorium.
Project focus
The design translates the school motto, Engaging curious minds, into a building that makes science visible and active. Practical learning, theoretical teaching and informal collaboration are treated as connected parts of the same environment.
Design ideas to notice
- The laboratory brief is supported by prep rooms, staff space and research areas, not just teaching rooms.
- Sandstone pods, a limestone plinth and glazed links help the new building sit beside the existing campus.
- Vertical stone louvres and a central void give the building both control and openness.
- The 100-year ambition makes durability and adaptability part of the design quality.
Portfolio lesson from this project
Education projects become stronger when the reader can understand how the building is used during a normal day. Labs, prep, staff movement, display, gathering and supervision all matter.
Showcase an education project
If your project involves schools, laboratories or learning spaces, show how the plan supports real teaching and supervision.
- Explain the learning model before the materials.
- Show specialist rooms and the support spaces around them.
- Connect architectural expression to the practical brief.
Next step
Explore more project work in the Architecture Social Projects directory, or submit your own project for the showcase.
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