A Fresh Chapter for Pembroke Middle School’s Dining Hub by Studio Gram.

What do you get when you take a utilitarian Technology Studies building and turn it into something special? This is what Studio Gram set out to achieve with their latest project—the John Moody Centre at Pembroke Middle School in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs. This is not your typical school refurb.

Located on Kaurna land in Kensington Park, the 314-square-metre project encompasses three distinct dining spaces: the boarders’ John Moody Dining Hall, an expanded King’s Café for day students, and the innovative Yellow Submarine Too Café. The design team, led by Graham Charbonneau and René Majewski, balanced preserving existing architectural elements with contemporary insertions that speak to modern educational environments.

The revitalised space speaks to Studio Gram’s clever approach to spatial planning, featuring a layout that encourages extended social interaction through varied seating arrangements. From communal tables facilitating group discussions to intimate nooks perfect for quiet conversations, every element has been thoughtfully orchestrated in an environment where students, staff, parents, and friends can forge meaningful connections beyond traditional mealtimes.

Studio Gram Archives

Explore more projects by Adelaide's Studio Gram previously featured on Yellowtrace.

Working in concert with Landskap for landscape design and Landmark Studio for wayfinding, the team has delivered a cohesive experience that extends seamlessly from the 82-square-metre outdoor dining area to the 40-square-metre upper deck. This holistic approach ensures that every space, whether interior or exterior, contributes to the overall narrative of community and connection.

The materiality and finish selections are sophisticated and welcoming. Integrating existing building elements with new interventions creates a layered architectural narrative that honours the building’s history while embracing its contemporary function.

Completed in July 2024, the John Moody Centre has become a vibrant hub where the simple act of sharing a meal transforms into meaningful moments of connection. It’s the kind of thoughtful, human-centred design that reminds us why design matters in the first place.

Satellite Cities: Experimental School in Hainan by Trace Architecture Office.

Organic forms often imagined in our childhood drawings and daydream doodles have found their way into Trace Architecture Office’s monumental education project in Hainan.

[Images courtesy of Studio Gram. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]