2025 SA Architecture Awards St Joseph's School (Awards Entrant – Education)

St Joseph's School in Tranmere, Adelaide was selected an entrant in the 2025 SA Architecture Awards in the Educational Architecture category. 

The awards, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, South Australian Chapter, celebrate architectural excellence in various categories, including Public Architecture and Educational Architecture.

Undergoing a remarkable transformation, St Joseph's School has been reimagined as a "child's natural wonderland" with a focus on integrating play and nature into the learning environment.

A new 'central spine' featuring an inspired "Learning Street" has transformed the campus by connecting redesigned light-filled classrooms that encourage creative and collaborative thinking through shared spaces. The renovation also prioritised indoor-outdoor connections and feature landscaping, providing various opportunities for nature play and outdoor learning, while a sensitive restoration of the "underutilised Parish Hall" has revitalised shared community spaces. Ultimately, these extensive improvements aim to foster student wellbeing and sensory regulation while restoring a sense of community pride.

By thoughtfully adapting existing spaces, GGA was able to retain significant embodied carbon while creating three new and two renovated classrooms, a collaborative hub, and private workrooms.

These bright, inspiring spaces were created to foster connection and creativity, with playful colours and materials enhancing wayfinding and linking students to the natural environment.

St Joseph's School is located in the City of Tranmere, Adelaide. Kaurna Land.

GGA Team: Nicole Dent, Nicholas Parker, Garth Davos

Consultants: WAX Design, Resonate Consultants, WGA (Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec), Lucid Consulting Australia, MasterPlan

Builder: Steele Build

Client: Catholic Education South Australia, St Joseph's School Tranmere

Photos: Sweet Lime Photo