About the Building Connections project
In the next decade, Australia will build hundreds of new schools, yet schools are some of our most under-utilised assets: during and outside school hours, school facilities can accommodate community services and activities, but this is not common. The Building Connections: Schools as Community Hubs project was funded from 2019-2022 by the Australian Research Council Linkage Program and several Partner Organisations (see below), to inform better design and sharing of school infrastructure that improves education and strengthens communities.
- Download our How to Hub Australia advice sheets
- Read our book about Schools as Community Hubs
- Study our report on the Connecting Schools + Communities Survey
- Discover our other outputs
- Learn more about our research activities
Partner organisations
Research team
Our cross-disciplinary research team was drawn from architecture, education and urban planning. Members were based at The University of Melbourne, unless indicated otherwise.
- Associate Professor Benjamin Cleveland, Lead Chief Investigator
- Professor Janet Clinton, Chief Investigator
- Associate Professor Ian McShane, Chief Investigator (RMIT University)
- Associate Professor Clare Newton, Chief Investigator (retired)
- Dr Ruth Aston, Research Fellow
- Dr Philippa Chandler, Research Fellow
- Natalie Miles, PhD Candidate
- Hayley Paproth, PhD Candidate
- Robert Polglase, PhD Candidate (RMIT University)
- Carolina Rivera Yevenes, PhD Candidate
- Dr Sianan Healy, Project Manager (2019)
- Sarah Backhouse, Project Manager (2019-2022)
- Phuong Nguyen, Research Communications Coordinator (2019-2021)
- Rebecca Colless, Research Communications Coordinator (2021-2022)
Partner Investigators / representatives
- Simon LeNepveu, Partner, Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects
- Paul Meldrum, Head of Learning Innovations, Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Parramatta
- Laurence Robinson, Director, Brand Architects
Stakeholders
How to Hub Australia
This FREE, easy-to-read resource is packed with evidence and advice for policymakers, school leaders, and designers involved in schools as community hubs (SaCH). Download the all-in-one booklet or separately access the Journey Map, the Development Framework, or any of 12 advice sheets.
Journey Map for schools as community hubs
Our research identified common choices and actions that help SaCH survive and thrive (or falter) as represented in our Journey Map for SaCH. The benefits of a successful hub are shown at the centre of the map. The path to low impact should be avoided. The ideal hub journey involves three phases: Develop, Implement and Sustain. Click on the image below to examine or download the map.
Development Framework for schools as community hubs
We've identified 6 guiding principles and 12 critical factors for SaCH success if addressed flexibly to suit each school's unique context and culture. To learn how, download our advice sheets below.
Advice sheets for schools as community hubs
Click on any puzzle piece below to access a 3-page advice sheet on that topic with research-backed tips, expert insights, and case studies of SaCH from around Australia and overseas – or download the complete set.
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Schools as Community Hubs: Building ‘More than a School’ for Community Benefit
Members of the Building Connections team (Cleveland, B. Backhouse, S., Chandler, P. McShane, I. Clinton, J.M. and Newton, C.) edited and contributed to this 22-chapter book by international academics and practitioners.
You can access the complete book here at no cost.
National Patterns of School Facility Sharing: Report from the Connecting Schools + Communities Survey
Building Connections team members Ruth Aston, Hayley Paproth, Janet Clinton, Ben Cleveland, Ian McShane, Philippa Chandler and Sarah Backhouse have analysed and reported on the survey in the report titled National Patterns of School Facility Sharing: Report from the Connecting Schools + Communities Survey.
You can access the full report here.
