Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS) – Junior Boys

Penleigh and Essendon Junior Boys School originated in an Italianate mansion atop a windy hill, directly across from the Essendon Footy Club. This historic building stands out in a predominantly residential area where Federation-style houses prevail. Over time, the school has expanded, gradually acquiring much of the surrounding property, including several of the ‘houses’ within the block bounded by Nicholson, Raleigh, Napier, and Fletcher Streets.

The latest addition to the campus—a two-storey Year 5 & 6 block, featuring three classrooms on each level—marks a significant development, enhancing both the school’s growth and its interaction with the public space along Nicholson Street.

In designing this building, we aimed to embrace its unique urban setting, crafting a structure that serves as both a functional educational space and a distinctive milestone in the boys’ school journey. This is more than just a building for accommodation—it’s a space designed with imagination and purpose, embodying the transition to an important stage in the students’ lives.

This proposal begins with the silhouette of a Federation Home, which is then scaled up, extruded, and sliced to create a bold, contemporary interpretation. The building’s front may evoke the atmosphere of a haunted house, while the central extrusion draws inspiration from a Shinto Shrine, and the rear, which connects to the school's ovals, recalls the form of a Big Top—if you squint just right. The design prioritizes thoughtful planning and site integration, with northern courtyards positioned to bring natural light into the ground-floor classrooms. Upstairs, the corridor is cleverly reconfigured to minimize overlooking of the neighboring property.

The Grade 5 classrooms on the ground floor feature rich, deep colors and an earthy ambiance, creating an immersive, grounded environment. On the first floor, the design takes on a more ethereal quality, with a shape reminiscent of Utzon’s Bagsvaerd Church, where the complex silhouette softens into a cloudlike form. The extruded chimney not only adds a striking architectural element but also serves a functional purpose, providing natural light and aiding in the ventilation of the classroom spaces.

Sustainability

Pegs Junior Boys School embraces environmental sustainability through a thoughtful application of simple, effective design principles. The Federation silhouette not only serves as a visual landmark on the street but also integrates functionality into its very form. The overhanging eaves shield the expansive glazed sections of the ground-floor façade, blocking the intense summer sun from the north while allowing the lower winter sun to pour into the classrooms, optimizing natural heating. On the southern side, a generous bank of windows invites cooling breezes, creating natural cross-ventilation for the upstairs classrooms.

The building continues to exceed expectations with its innovative approach to passive cooling: the extruded chimney, typically associated with pollution, is reimagined here as a source of fresh air. Through a louvered system, it expels hot air, contributing to the building's energy efficiency and supporting its sustainable cooling strategy.

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About Yamashiro Pallonji InfraBuild Group

Rooted in the pioneering spirit of Australia, the timeless design ethos of Italy, and a bold vision for Mumbai’s coastline, Yamashiro Pallonji Infrabuild Group is a leading name in luxury real estate. More than just buildings, our projects are crafted environments that radiate elegance, sophistication, and an enduring commitment to quality. With developments spanning Australia, Europe, and now India, Yamashiro Pallonji Infrabuild Group redefines coastal luxury living, combining breathtaking locations with impeccable design and craftsmanship.

Yamashiro Pallonji Infrabuild Group delivers a diverse portfolio for a global audience, from exclusive residential retreats—luxury apartments and villas across Sydney, the Italian coastline, and Mumbai’s shores—to thoughtfully designed retail hubs that enrich their communities. Our commercial spaces blend style and function, fostering productivity in strikingly crafted settings. Additionally, our fund management services steward valuable assets for global partners, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term value. Through these ventures, Yamashiro Pallonji Infrabuild Group continues to shape iconic spaces, embodying the highest standards in luxury real estate.

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