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       Archive h Freda e Simon e Schools e Link e Strathmore SC Contact us  | 
     
       The 
              Gymnasium, designed by Simon Thornton, adopts the form of a gigantic 
              beetle, with a head (equipment store) facing Pascoe Vale Road. How 
              can an architect justify this? Only by arguing that 'fiction architecture' 
              is a valid mode of expression, based on pretence, like a novel in 
              literature. While taking care of all the functional aspects, an 
              architect can engage in a fictional narrative as an alternative 
              to the more common strategy of employing documentary narratives 
              responding to site context or the purpose of the building.  Strathmore 
          Secondary College - Gymnasium 
      The organisation of the elements of the Gymnasium follow those of a beetle. There are four legs with concrete feet, false eye markings, actual eye windows under eyebrows. The south wing is lifted to allow winter sun in. The edge of the wings are thickened by gutters supported on organically shaped brackets.   
            
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