project
Essington School Masterplan
| Client | Essington School |
| Location | Darwin, NT |
| Completion Year | 2024 |
| Sector | Commercial |
| Education | |
| Sport Facility |
| Project Manager |
Dave Bennett
Director & Senior Architect
Bennett Architecture’s master plan for Essington School reunites the senior cohort with the main campus, fostering continuity across year levels. Upgraded primary buildings provide flexible, light-filled spaces for team teaching and diverse learning approaches. A new multipurpose hall with courts, amenities, and climbing wall connects to active outdoor areas featuring nature-based play, Ninja courses, and outdoor classrooms. This integrated vision delivers a future-ready, inclusive environment prioritizing adaptability, wellbeing, and outdoor learning.
Key objectives
Reconnect senior cohort with the main campus for continuity.
Create flexible learning spaces to support varied teaching approaches.
Design multipurpose hall for sports, events, and active engagement.
Integrate nature-based play and outdoor classrooms for wellbeing.
Deliver future-ready environments emphasizing adaptability and inclusivity.
Project Story
Bennett Architecture’s master planning for Essington School carefully considered the future-focused needs of students and staff reuniting the senior cohort with the main campus, strengthening connection and continuity across year levels. The relocation plan included upgrades to lower primary buildings, transforming them into flexible, integrated learning spaces that support team teaching and varied pedagogical approaches. These new environments prioritise natural light, transparency, and movement, allowing for adaptable and inclusive education settings. As part of the wider campus vision, Bennett Architecture designed a new multipurpose hall, complete with basketball courts, amenities, a rock climbing wall, and direct connections to external active play areas. The adjoining outdoor spaces were also designed conceptually with nature-based play, with layered environments for exploration, learning, and physical challenge. In more active play spaces, Bennett Architectures landscape team, included Ninja courses, shaded seating areas, and outdoor classrooms for student wellbeing and engagement. This integrated master plan delivers a holistic, future-ready educational environment grounded in flexibility, inclusivity, and the value of outdoor learning.
