How Yarra Valley Grammar expanded its campus using modular construction — one project at a time
Growing a school is one thing. Growing it without disrupting 2,000 students is another. At Yarra Valley Grammar, consistent enrolment growth has created exactly that challenge: expanding modular learning spaces without disrupting the day-to-day rhythm of the school.
With around 2,000 students from early learning through to Year 12, demand for additional classrooms and specialist environments has continued to increase across both junior and secondary campuses.
As the independent school has grown, additional learning spaces have been delivered progressively over time to support the evolving campus needs. Working closely with the team at Harwyn, this has become a staged, considered approach to growth. Traditional construction doesn’t lend itself to staging. Modular does.
The first space: small, but it stuck around
The first project was simple but important. The junior school required a dedicated environment for small-group and individual learning. Existing classrooms weren’t suited to this type of teaching, and a faster solution was needed.
A single modular learning space was introduced. Installed beneath an existing oak tree, it provided a quiet, focused setting for targeted support programs.
“It enabled small groups of junior school students… to go into a smaller space which accommodated their needs much better.”
— Jane Macneil, Corporate Services Manager, Yarra Valley Grammar
That space remains in use today. Even after being relocated during later works, it continues to perform with minimal maintenance — a strong early signal that the modular approach could be trusted at scale.
Making room for music and performance
As the school grew, the pressure shifted to specialist programs. In the secondary school, increased demand for the arts — across both drama and music — meant general classrooms were no longer fit for purpose, particularly where acoustics and smaller group settings were required.
The response was a combination of purpose-built modular learning spaces:
- A large drama space designed for movement and flexibility
- Three music practice rooms for focused, small-group learning
Positioned within an existing open area, these buildings provide dedicated spaces without interrupting surrounding campus activity. The drama space has become a flexible, multi-purpose environment used for classes, rehearsals, and other performing arts activities, while the music rooms provide acoustically controlled spaces suited to focused instrumental learning.
Building on what was already proven
By this stage, the school had already seen how the initial project performed over time. That experience informed what came next.
“The initial project was very successful… so we knew that we’d be able to get another project that met the criteria, met the budget and the timing of delivery.”
— Jane Macneil, Corporate Services Manager, Yarra Valley Grammar
With consistently clear expectations around delivery and performance, subsequent modular construction projects progressed with efficiency and confidence.
From concept to classrooms — within a single school year
As enrolments increased, additional Year 5 classrooms became a priority. The timeline was fixed. Spaces needed to be ready for the start of the following year.
After identifying a suitable location, the project moved quickly from concept through to delivery — the kind of turnaround that modular construction makes possible, and that traditional builds rarely can.
Two large classrooms were installed, connected by an operable wall to allow flexibility between separate and combined learning. External works, including decking and access, were integrated to suit the sloped site.
Video: Yarra Valley Grammar Case Study
What this approach enabled
Across each stage of growth, the key outcome has been continuity — the ability to expand learning environments without interrupting the school’s daily rhythm.
From targeted support spaces, to specialist arts facilities, to full classrooms delivered within tight timeframes, each project has built confidence in a staged modular approach.
Putting flexible learning spaces into practice
For Yarra Valley Grammar, modular construction has become less about individual buildings and more about an ongoing strategy for growth — one that allows the school to respond quickly, efficiently, and without disruption.
If your school is facing similar pressure around space and enrolment growth, get in touch with Harwyn to explore how modular learning environments can support your campus.