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Modular construction in education on display with Ausco Modulars’ Shenton College.
Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, and Education Minister, Dr. Tony Buti, last week inspected a $15 million double-storey modular building under construction at Ausco Modular in Kwinana, Western Australia. First announced in November 2022, the modular building is scheduled for completion in Term 3 and will accommodate 300 students, helping to ease enrolment pressures at Shenton College, situated in Perth.
According to Dr. Buti, “Modular buildings are an efficient way of accommodating growth while minimising disruption to students and staff on the school site.” In recent years Western Australian governments have consistently embraced modular construction in educational facilities, due to its speed, efficiency, and minimal impact on existing school operations.
Nationally, the Shenton College project forms part of a series of recent announcements related to modular construction by state governments. These include the Queensland government’s delivery of modular homes last year, the NSW Government’s appointment of a taskforce for the use of modular housing for social homes, and the awarding of a contract to the APP Group as a manufacturing partner on the Manufacturing for Schools program in February.
The new building at Shenton College will feature 11 general learning classrooms, a science classroom, staff areas, and toilet facilities. The modular school building is being constructed by Ausco, and it is part of their Progress-ED™ range, developed by in-house engineers and designers, which allows schools to expand to multiple levels with both temporary and permanent solutions. Ausco is also subscribing to MMC (modern methods of construction) in their building methodology, which also aims to create education spaces where teachers and students can thrive.
Premier Cook emphasised the economic benefits of the project, stating, “The construction of this two-storey $15 million modular school building here in Kwinana is supporting more than 100 local jobs.” He also highlighted the importance of minimising the impact on student learning during construction and addressing the immediate enrolment pressure at Shenton College.
In addition to the Shenton College project, the WA government announced earlier last week that Highgate Primary School will receive a similar two-storey building to address enrolment growth. Budgeted at $12 million, the building will be constructed using MMC methods as demonstrated with the Shenton project, confirming the government’s commitment to leveraging modular construction for educational infrastructure.
Dr. Buti expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m pleased we’re able to provide state-of-the-art facilities for students in an innovative and fast way.” He anticipates that the Shenton College community will be excited about the new facilities and looks forward to visiting the site once the building is in place.
