Digging up the next generation of builders

As South Australia turns its mind to building the infrastructure of the future, the answer to who is going to build it is being uncovered in a primary school playground.

Long before the turning of the first sod or laying the foundations, the architects and builders of the new Dr Pamela Wall Centre in Glenelg were under some extra special scrutiny from the next generation of builders.

Noticing activity within the grounds of St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School, curious students Max and Adalyn were observing and documenting what was happening at the new development.

The pair’s daily investigations prompted the school to establish a Builders Club, which brought a group of keen future architects, designers, and builders together to participate in the two-year development process.

From grilling the architecture firm at a Q&A session to meeting the site supervisor and going on site tours as the project progressed, the Builders Club members were active and enthusiastic participants in seeing plans get off the ground.

Design, demolition, construction, insulation, electrical and tiling were among the activities they observed.

In keeping with the school’s child-centric philosophy, the students’ input was fed into the design process.

Adalyn, 11, said she was interested in being an interior decorator one day.

“I would like to be an interior decorator because I look at all of the home decorator shows and it always looks really pretty and I love making people happy and I think that building and decorating is very interesting,” she said.

Max, 10, said he would like to be an engineer “because I like designing stuff”.

“I enjoyed going on the building site with the Builders Club,” he said.

St Peter’s Woodlands Principal Sarah Noell said the school’s new multipurpose facility - named after prominent philanthropist and former Woodlands student Pammie Wall - was a unique arts, sport and events space available to both the school and local community.

“The Dr Pamela Wall Centre is the only community space of its type at a primary school in Adelaide,” Ms Noell said.

“In keeping with the school’s values of wonder, courage, respect and service the centre will be a place where students take to the stage for sport, concerts and graduations.

“In addition to school activities, the centre will be available for hire for small-run productions by organisations such as amateur theatre and dance groups.

“We’re excited about the launch, which is a wonderful culmination for the students who have followed the project since well before the foundations were laid.

“The experience our Builders Club students have had certainly prompted some dreams of becoming designers and builders when they grow up.”