Castle Hill High School

Steel Covered Outdoor Learning Area Structure

The Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) structure at Castle Hill High School serves multiple purposes, providing shelter during inclement weather while also offering a spacious area for school assemblies. This versatile structure accommodates the school’s growing number of students and staff.

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KEY DESIGN ADVANTAGES

Curved metal roof for aesthetic impact with soffit lining for an enhanced finish

STRUCTURE

Curved metal-roof COLA

AREA COVERED

Double Basketball Court

SIZE

43m x 32m

STEEL FINISH

Hot Dip Galavanised

ROOF MATERIAL

COLORBOND® ‘Windspray’ roofing
with Wonderglas ‘Opal’ skylights

Brief

Situated in a growing area of Sydney, Castle Hill High School saw student numbers rise to over 2,000 in recent years – and needed a space to accommodate them during all weather conditions. The school’s basketball courts were exposed to the elements and meant students and staff couldn’t use them in wet weather; this was especially challenging as Sydney experienced heavy La Niña rain. The structure needed to not only cover and shade the sports courts but also complement the space’s surrounds and existing architecture.

Approach

Following a tender process, the school selected a 31.5m x 42.6m metal COLA structure. It was built with a curved metal roof for minimal visual impact and fitted with a soffit lining – where the roof is sheeted underneath – for a streamlined finish. The COLA has birdproof to minimise maintenance and cleaning, especially a concern given the school’s leafy surrounds. As the courts are bordered by other school buildings, site access required careful consideration and planning; Greenline built a specialised ramp and used cranes to get equipment onsite and complete the build.