Brighton Grammar School Library and Food Tech

We recently completed a coordinated building services and sustainability upgrade for the school’s Library on Level 1 and Food Technology facilities on the Ground Floor. The project delivered spaces that meet contemporary educational requirements while incorporating energy-efficient systems, safety-compliant infrastructure, and future-ready technology.

The library provides a flexible learning environment designed to support a wide range of educational activities. Infrastructure was carefully planned to accommodate future information and communication technology expansion, distributed power, data outlets, and audiovisual systems. Energy-efficient LED lighting with occupancy sensors enhances visual comfort while reducing operational energy use. Power distribution was optimised to suit flexible furniture arrangements and adaptable learning setups.

The Food Technology teaching spaces have been designed to support cooking activities at a commercial standard. Dedicated electrical connections, engineered exhaust ventilation, compliant grease management, and robust fire safety measures ensure safe, efficient operation. Service capacity was carefully designed to meet peak loads while maintaining flexibility for future needs.

The building’s mechanical systems feature:

• High-efficiency Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system with zone-level control.
• Integration with the existing Building Management System for central monitoring and energy optimisation.

Electrical services design includes:

• Energy-efficient lighting and power systems designed to reduce consumption and minimise standby loads.
• Electrical and lighting layouts tailored to complement the architectural design.

Fire Safety & Compliance was a key focus throughout the project.

• Automatic sprinkler system integrated with the campus-wide network.
• Smoke detection and alarm systems interfacing with the existing fire indicator panel.
• Supports coordinated evacuation procedures.

Hydraulic works include:

• Water supply and sewerage connections for new amenities and appliances.
• Strategically placed grease arrestor to efficiently manage kitchen waste.
• Carefully coordinated pipework and fixture layouts to maintain functionality, accessibility, and compliance with relevant plumbing standards.

Working within the constraints of an existing building presented challenges, including limited ceiling and riser space, structural clashes, and maintenance access. Through detailed coordination with the architectural and construction teams, spatial allowances for plant and equipment, service distribution routes, and ceiling layouts to ensure smooth installation and minimal disruption were optimised.

Photos courtesy of Bowden Corp and Swagger Photography