CLEVELAND YOUTH DETENTION CENTRE - EDUCATION PRECINCT

Understanding the role of education in reform, the Queensland Department of Communities and Project Services engaged Guymer Bailey Architects to design the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre (CYDC) Education Precinct to deliver grade teaching, TAFE courses and sporting development programs for detained 12-17 year-olds.

The Precinct features 26 indoor learning spaces positioned around a central open court with a series of outdoor learning areas and a teacher’s administration building to provide staff with a functional work environment for lesson planning and student programming. Internal rooms provide flexibility with interactive electronic whiteboards, computer terminals and desks. There are also speciality areas including a hospitality food preparation and serving area, a music recording studio and radio broadcast facility, and a manual arts department with small engine workshop, wood working, metal work, building construction and horticulture. Sporting facilities include a gym, basketball and netball court, swimming pool, and a football and soccer field.

The Education Precinct has been designed for the sub-tropical Townsville environment with buildings insulated and sealed to allow for the efficient use of air conditioning. The Precinct also features covered outdoor learning and lunch areas as well as large roof overhangs in line with the facility’s Ecologically Sustainable Development agenda.