Prahran's vertical school nears as South Melbourne PS powers ahead

Melbourne's latest public vertical high school is edging closer to reality. After being officially revealed last month by the Victorian School Building Authority, Prahran High School's construction tender is drawing to a close.

The facility will be Melbourne's third vertical high school, following on from examples in South Melbourne and Richmond.

On a site fronting High Street, demolition on the Gray Puksand-designed project is underway and construction will begin mid year, with the intention of being student ready by Term 1, 2019. 650 students across years 7-12 will be accommodated within the project which is valued at $25m.

In addition to traditional learning and library spaces, Prahran High School will also boast break out areas, a gym, an outdoor running track/recreational area and a passive green area. Outdoor terraces will also be included across each level.

The evolution of public schooling within Melbourne's inner suburbs is a fairly recent event, headlined by the South Melbourne Primary School who's design was awarded the Future Project of the Year at the 2016 World Architecture Festival Awards. It is now heading skyward with the initial ground works giving way to the steel structure that will form the support for the six storey build.

Completion is still earmarked for the end of this year.

The vertical nature of the South Melbourne, Richmond and Prahran projects has allowed for an equal of greater number of students to be accommodated on a fraction of the land required relative to traditional school campuses. The new South Melbourne and Richmond campuses have incorporated communal facilities with their respective builds.

Prahran High School on the other hand will be built within the existing educational precinct which includes Melbourne Polytechnic and the National Institute of Circus Arts.

1,800 additional students will be accommodated across the three projects.