| BNDJALUNG LAND | MULLUBIMBY NSW | 1995 – 2007 |

Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is located in rural NSW north coast region – part of the Northern Rivers region and the Byron Bay Hinterland. The School has grown rapidly since its inception in 1995 to meet the aspirations of a changing community.

The original Masterplan by BJA set out lines of buildings responding to the landscape features. Interconnecting raised covered walkways are designed to suit the semi-tropical climate and high rainfall. At the heart of the plan, a horseshoe cluster of administration, staff, library and eurythmy facilities encircle a magnificent, mature Moreton Bay fig tree.

Natural creeks have been rehabilitated and landscaped with buildings bridging across the streams. The Mullumbimby Creek has been extensively re-forested with native rainforest species and now provides a rich educational facility for all ages.

As the School expanded, additional farmland was purchased and in response BJA updated the Master Plan in 2014 to anticipate double-stream Primary School. The High School layout was then planned to provide the full scope of the School’s rich Rudolf Steiner curriculum.

Then, in 2017 the Shearwater Early Childhood centre was designed and built in its own precinct set against the backdrop of the beautiful Koonyum range mountains.

All Shearwater buildings are articulated and spaced to choreograph the students’ journey through the fertile landscape whilst minimising environmental impact. Special design attention was given to the spaces between buildings, with large covered verandahs and landscaped courtyards providing outdoor learning spaces plus engagement with nature.