Prahran High School opened as Victoria’s third public vertical school in January 2019 on the former Swinburne University site in Windsor. Landscape Plus was appointed by Kane Constructions to complete landscaping and concreting works on this prestigious project. There was a tight deadline for these works, which commenced in late 2018 and were completed in late January 2019.

Prahran is a high traffic area and access on this multi-level site was tricky. The team relished in the opportunity to work in this environment. All trades involved had to work around one another due to the tight deadline that Kane Constructions was given in which to deliver the completed school building.

Landscape Plus delivered the exposed aggregate concrete apron for the school building on the ground level, and a basketball court, internal planting, artificial grass, timber seating and raised planter boxes on the upper levels. The team also installed Stratavault, a soil cell system designed to promote tree growth, to help ensure the survival of the mature trees installed in the landscaped areas of the school. For 12 months following installation, Landscape Plus maintained the Prahran High School site to further assist with the successful establishment of all plant life.

This project was a great experience for all the trades involved and won several awards following its completion. Architects Gray Puksand received awards or commendations for this unique project in the 2019 Victorian School Design Awards, the 2019 Australian Institute of Architects Awards, the 2019 Victorian Architecture Awards and the 2020 Learning Environments Australasia Awards.