Pittwater House
- Description School extension
- Location Collaroy
- Sector Learning
- Sub-Sector Education
- Specialties Adaptive Reuse, Additions, Façade, Live Environment
- Contract Type Fixed Lump Sum
- Delivery Method Early Contractor Involvement, Construct Only
- Client Pittwater House School
- Architect Neeson Murcutt + Neille
- Photographer Martin Mischkulnig
Pittwater House has offered a unique educational environment that blends single‑gender learning with the social benefits of a co‑educational campus. Stages 1 of the School’s Masterplan continued this legacy by reshaping the arrival experience and improving the way students, staff, and families move through the school each day. The upgrades prioritise safety, access equity, and expanded outdoor and covered spaces, while the new balconies and colonnade create flexible areas for learning and recreation.
Construction was delivered in 3 carefully sequenced stages while the school remained fully operational. Working in a live school environment required meticulous planning, particularly around adaptive reuse and architectural finishes. We received the hazardous materials report at tender and categorised findings by location and risk to determine re‑testing needs, exclusion zones, and out‑of‑hours works. High‑risk activities were scheduled during school holidays to minimise disruption, with continuous communication ensuring safety and clarity for all stakeholders.
The design incorporates standout elements including a 33‑degree sloped roof poured using self‑compacting concrete, high‑quality metalwork, and Class 2 concrete finishes. New balconies and façade elements connect the West and South wing buildings, supported by a new lift, external colonnade, and landscaped circulation routes. Temporary stairs and 2 demountable classrooms were installed to maintain teaching continuity throughout construction.
The full project’s scope included demolition of existing structural elements and delivery of both soft and hard landscaping. Early Contractor Involvement strengthened collaboration, enabling shared problem‑solving and efficient staging very the beginning. For a school with over 50 years of history, these upgrades provide long‑term value, safer access, improved amenity, and adaptable learning spaces that will support generations of students to come.
