2025 Australian Good Design Award Winner
Education, Physical Activity, and Community Under One Roof
The Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Center on the Plenty Campus of Ivanhoe Grammar School in Doreen is an educational and sports facility that goes far beyond the traditional function of a school swimming pool. Designed by Peddle Thorp Architects, the new building combines physical activity, learning, and social interaction into a holistic space – open, communal, and thoughtfully designed with a distinct atmosphere. For this approach, the project was honored with the 2025 Australian Good Design Award.
Architecture as a Unifying Element
The name „Coonawarra Willam“ – „House of the Swan“ in the Wurundjeri language – already points to the project’s underlying concept: understanding water, landscape, and community as a cohesive experience. Inspired by the symbolism of the swan as an animal that bridges water and land, the architecture creates spaces that fluidly connect sports, education, and everyday life.
Generous visual connections between the swimming pool, learning areas, and fitness zones create transparency and foster a sense of openness. Through the consistent use of the AREA PRO tile series in sand gray, combined with the FINNLAND pool coping system in gray-beige, the spaces appear bright, calm, and naturally interconnected. This is possible because all required slip-resistant properties and formats are available within this single series. The design successfully strikes a balance between functionalityä and atmosphereä: Each area appears clearly organized yet inviting.
A Place for Learning and Physical Activity
At the heart of the facility are a 25-meter competition pool and a separate teaching pool, äcomplemented by modern locker rooms and spectator areas. In addition, the center includes a fully äequipped gymnasium as well as several flexible learning äspaces that accommodate classes, health programs, and community äactivities. The outdoor facilities also expand the campus with high-quality sports fields: Tennis courts, a hockey field, and a new soccer field complement the complex and strengthen the connection between physical activity, education, and social interaction.
Sustainability as a spatial philosophy
In addition to its functional diversity, the building impresses with a consistently integrated sustainability concept. Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and an energy-efficient building envelope reduce the ecological footprint while simultaneously creating a consistently pleasant indoor climate. Here, sustainability is not merely a technical concept but is also tangibly felt in the äspace: Daylight, natural materials, and open Übergänge create an atmosphere that equally fosters concentration, well-being, and a sense of community.
