6 New Schools Designed With Custom Lumiflon-Imbued Fiber Cement Panels to Nurture A Passion for Learning

In many societies, schools are an integral part of the community. They provide the foundation for children to learn and grow, eventually becoming part of society. In an effort to provide the foundation and structure needed for their children, the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) in Australia began a project to build six primary schools on the outer western suburbs of Melbourne. These schools are located on indigenous lands belonging to the Wurundjeri and Wathaurung peoples of the Kulin Nation.


The VBSA appointed artists from the First Five Nations, First Nation Australians, and nation elders to incorporate indigenous history and culture into the design of the schools. While honoring the past, the VBSA also aimed to move forward with a modern, sleek aesthetic.



ARM Architecture, the firm used to realize their vision, used composite construction materials in the building of the schools. All six schools were built with fiber cement panels from Vitragroup’s Vitrapanel and coated with A&I coatings V700 Vitreflon FEVE fluoropolymer. The Vitrapanel facades featured in the new buildings utilize Lumiflon REVE resin technology, seen as a clear fluoropolymer coating, to maintain the integrity of the colors and patterns used in the school designs for many years.

FEVE coatings exhibit superior weatherability, ensuring the structural integrity of a coating remains intact, even when facing prolonged exposure to UV radiation, moisture, salt, and other elemental deterrents. Additionally, FEVE-based fluoropolymers offer unparalleled color and gloss retention capabilities, preserving the vibrance of a coatings system for an extended period of time.



Jesse Judd, the director of ARM Architecture says, “Designing for education is a huge responsibility. The design of learning environments makes a significant contribution to learning experiences. These spaces and places can enable learners to thrive, to think, to excel, to be curious and influence a love of life-long learning.”

Photography courtesy of ARM Architecture