The expansion of Adelaide Botanic High School has officially been opened, increasing the school’s total capacity to 1950 students. The new development accommodates 700 additional students and delivers more than 9,000 square metres of additional learning space.
The official opening took place in the newly completed South Tower. Principal Sarah Chambers, past Principal Alastair Brown, Premier Peter Malinauskas, and Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer were in attendance.
COX Architecture and DesignInc led the design of the expansion. The firm also worked on the school’s original redevelopment, which transformed the former Reid Building into South Australia’s first vertical school. That project was completed in 2018 and opened in 2019, receiving multiple awards for architecture, interiors, and sustainability.
The new building sits just south of the existing campus and includes general and specialist learning areas, a rooftop sports court, a library, a gym, performing arts centre, and administration areas. The design responds to the surrounding environment, with setbacks that protect natural light and views of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and nearby public assets.
COX Associate Director Gianni Francisco said, “The expansion is highly connected to the first stage building via link bridges on all levels and offers a range of technology-rich general and specialist learning areas accommodating the additional 700 students and the school’s future requirements.”
The architecture continues the original concept of revealing learning in action. The expansion supports connections with nearby industry and university partners, particularly in the Lot Fourteen Innovation Precinct.
“We received invaluable feedback from students and teachers from the first stage of Adelaide Botanic High School that informed key design decisions for the School’s recently completed expansion,” Francisco said.
The new facilities build on the school’s original ‘Living System’ idea, using biophilic design. Biophilic design is an approach that incorporates natural elements and patterns into architecture to create a stronger connection between people and nature. Inside, the spaces are designed to feel interconnected and adaptable, encouraging collaboration and flexibility.
Adelaide Botanic High School now includes 23 flexible general learning spaces, 16 specialist areas, and facilities that support programs across STEM, performing arts, music, and food technology.
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