Local residents had been pushing for a primary school in Melbourne's Fishermans Bend, and the South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School (as it will be known) has just been recognised among the world's best design. 

The World Architecture Festival winners were announced in Berlin, Germany last month, revealing the best in architecture from around the world, and Australian firm Hayball won the Education - Future Projects category with the school.

The school beat ten other entrants encompassing architects from countries including Vietnam, Taiwan, Russia, UK, Turkey, Morocco and Bangladesh.

Hayball's Director Richard Leonard said following the announcement, "It’s an incredible honour to be recognised on a global scale for our work on South Melbourne Ferrars Street Primary School in Victoria, Australia in the Education – Future Projects category at the WAF Awards. As the first vertical school in the state, the project is both innovative and enthralling."

"What we’re most proud of is the combination of a learning hub with a community centre for the local residents to enjoy, which embraces the connection between learning and recreation, students and neighbours. The school will be the educational home to 525 students and will include an early learning centre, multi-purpose community rooms and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sports courts across a sleek, light-filled building spanning five storeys," said Leonard.

The best building in the world - the World Building of the Year 2016 - was awarded to Robert Konieczny - KWK Promes' National Museum in Szczecin - Dialogue Centre Przełomy, Poland.

For more information, see the World Architecture Festival website.

See also:

AIA 2016 National Architecture Award winners announced

'Surf's up stone house' voted Australia's Best Home

Zero impact family home