How weatherproofing performance solutions help build flood-resilient schools

When record-breaking floods swept through Northern New South Wales in 2022, Empire Vale Public School was amongst the casualties. The nearly 150-year-old school, which had served as the heart of its rural community for generations, was left devastated by floodwaters. Across the Northern Rivers, stories were similar: rural schools were forced to close, and communities were left waiting for repairs. The rebuild of Empire Vale Public School presented unique challenges that demanded innovative solutions. Traditional construction methods would have simply restored the school to its previous vulnerable state, leaving it susceptible to future flooding events. The community was desperate to build back better. The flood-resilient, modular and weatherproof solution The design philosophy for the new school is elegantly simple and profoundly effective. Working alongside Modscape , Pedavoli Architects and ADCO Constructions , DDEG’s team ensured the new sch...