15 minute read
EDUCATION
+ EDUCATION FORMS THE FOUNDATION OF A NATION’S FUTURE. THROUGH INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND BUILDING SOLUTIONS, FACILITIES CAN ENRICH TEACHING AND FEED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS ALIKE.
Top and opposite MIT’s TechPark Campus lounge achieves the desired effect of looking like a floating black box with portals.
Above The new facility in Manukau Central has been built at the right time, when there is an increasing demand for skilled trades staff.
STICKING TO THE OBJECTIVE & THE CAMPUS
You could call it perfect timing. Skills shortages in construction and other trades are acute, and vocational education is undergoing something of a renaissance. Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) has come to the party with its new TechPark Campus in Manukau, South Auckland.
The state-of-the-art facility is purpose-built to house MIT’s school for professional engineering and trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, gas fitting, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, automotive, fabrication, civil and landscape construction.
It marks a true marriage of minds: TechPark was developed as a partnership between MIT, with Haydn & Rollett as developer, builder and owner, together
with Auckland Council’s urban regeneration agency Panuku Development. Panuku made this vacant 1.85ha site available for TechPark, an important early project for its Transform Manukau plan.
The decision to work with a private developer to deliver and own this facility has clear benefits, says Haydn & Rollett development manager, Hagen Gibbes. “Haydn & Rollett’s innovative delivery strategy minimised the required capital costs, maximised asset valuation and reduced rental costs. It provided an integrated delivery of base-building and tenant hard fit-out, and also funded the tenant hard fit-out for MIT.”
The institute wanted a modern, fit-for-purpose facility, aligned to industry and emerging technologies, that would support its vision to be a leading engineering and trades tertiary education provider. TechPark includes the latest technology and innovations designed to extend a new centre of excellence for engineering and trades education.
MIT’s project brief was for a student-centric design that optimises space. This was important to ensure the new facility supports educational aspirations for Ma -ori and Pasifika success in South Auckland. MIT sought a long-term partner that would provide more than the typical landlord-tenant relationship.
A key requirement of the brief was to do more with less and provide flexible, open-plan spaces and facilities that could be shared between schools.
Above MIT’s ‘sticky campus’ encourages students to stay around between classes for vocational training. It is also close to public transport and has on-site changing facilities and showers. Environmentally sustainable designs were also regarded as critical requirements.
MIT has achieved its objective of creating a ‘sticky campus’, one that encourages students to stay on-site between classes, find support and focus on study. The CBD location allows MIT to build an educational precinct around its existing Manukau Campus and acknowledges the growing acceptance and importance of vocational training in society. The site provides great access to public transport, with on-site changing rooms and showers allowing students to move from work, to study, to home – easily and quickly.
The entire building is divided into bookable spaces, including the flexible teaching spaces, the workshop floor and outdoor teaching spaces. The front and rear yards provide secure teaching areas during the day, as well as a ‘ring-road’ for flexible after-hour deliveries to all parts of the building.
Above The facility is practical and flexible, allowing different trades students to share resources such a welding workshop. Below The challenge for the designers was to come up with an industrial-style shed that fitted into the Manukau CBD environment.
Constructing an industrial-style shed in the CBD presented urban design challenges. The designers and developer worked with both Panuku’s technical advisory group and the Auckland Urban Design Panel to refine the design, providing a great outcome on this site.
The opening of the campus has provided much-needed vocational training in South Auckland and has come just in time for an influx of trades students. The development is a flexible and practical facility that can keep up with new technologies and ways of working, and allows for co-location of trades both now (fabrication and plumbing share specialist welding workshops) and in the future (automotive and electrical).
The new building is a great contribution to the neighbourhood and with other local developments, this is a vibrant and exciting part of Manukau. +
MANUKAU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – TECHPARK CAMPUS
58 Manukau Station Rd, Manukau Central, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER HAYDN & ROLLETT PROPERTY FUND DEVELOPER CONSTRUCTION, PROJECT MANAGER HAYDN & ROLLETT ARCHITECT ASC ARCHITECTURE QUALITY SURVEYOR KINGSTONS SERVICE ENGINEER ECS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER MSC CONSULTING MECHANICAL ENGINEERS THURSTON CONSULTING OTHER CONSULTANTS WHAKAARO-KINGSMAN, KLU’DUP
Prebbleton School’s new extension needed to work for both flexible teaching practices and community use. Despite
challenges such as limited space at the school, the new block has been deemed a success and more such spaces are planned.
FLEXIBLE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
Prebbleton School’s new classroom block – a 540sqm extension to the existing school – has vibrant, versatile spaces for flexible learning, as well as community and school events. It accommodates 150 students from years 4 to 6 in six class groups and caters for the school’s growing roll.
A lack of space at the O tautahi Christchurch primary school meant the new building needed to be built upwards, while providing open areas for outdoor activities. An excellent working relationship between the architects and structural engineers resulted in both being integrated seamlessly into the building.
You’ll find natural transitions between different teaching environments, indoor and outdoor spaces and break-out areas. Outside areas are created with large covered balconies for teaching and play, and to provide options for community recreation and sports events.
“This project was to put the school’s values of ‘Create, Think, Grow’ into practice and link pedagogy to space by creating flexible learning areas and strong community presence,” says Eduardo Fernandez-Moscoso, senior architect for the project.
“The silhouette of the building envelope combines a traditional pitched roof shape with a contemporary shelter form, metaphorically embracing and protecting those inside, while the aesthetic of the covering reflects the use of the space, with soft and welcoming materials. Sheltered outdoor areas link internal teaching spaces with the sport fields and playground, and create areas for outdoor activities,” says Fernandez-Moscoso.
There’s plenty of room to move: the structure is based on three long-span portal frames, creating internal floor depth, uninterrupted by internal loadbearing walls. This design, complete with sliding doors, accommodates a variety of room configurations. There was another advantage: shades could be attached to the portal frames and didn’t have to be built as separate structures.
Windows, positioned to allow natural daylight into the building, block the high sun, while allowing low winter sun through. Exterior louvres on the north-facing side provide shade, but allow views of the adjacent school fields.
A mixed-mode ventilation system is paired with an oxygen sensor, which works on a traffic-light system and alerts those inside when readings rise above favourable levels. When the orange light comes on, doors can be opened or the automatic ventilation system activated. This includes heat recovery, which reduces costs and warms the space quickly. Heat pumps have also been installed. Project complications were minimised, thanks to the building-friendly site.
It was important that indoor teaching spaces linked seamlessly with those outside, as well as sports fields and playgrounds.
Easy road access helped construction stay within budget, and the existing stormwater, sewer and electrical infrastructure could be used. Although construction was during school hours, the school, Ministry of Education, project manager and contractor collaborated to minimise disruption.
The move from traditional to flexible learning environments was a significant cultural shift, requiring a greater level of collaboration between teachers. This meant it was critical to bring teachers along on the design journey. They, along with their students, are excited about the new block and the changes it brings.
The project has been described as a new architectural language, which Prebbleton School is determined to continue speaking. Confident in its students’ ability to learn in this new environment, it wants to transform remaining traditional classrooms, creating flexible learning for all. +
PREBBLETON SCHOOL
8 Blakes Rd, Prebbleton, O tautahi Christchurch OWNER, DEVELOPER MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CONSTRUCTION COOK BROTHERS ARCHITECT GHDWOODHEAD CREATIVESPACES SERVICE, STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL ENGINEER GHD QUANTITY SURVEYOR BARNES BEAGLEY DOHERR PROJECT MANAGER GREENSTONE OTHER CONSULTANTS ACOUSTIC CONSULTANTS, IGNITE FIRE
Creating lasting impressions through design
Wellington East Girls’ College has maintained its heritage facade and features but now has flexible and tailored spaces for teaching. The two have been married with skill and finesse.
SUPERB FUSION OF PAST & PRESENT
Wellington East Girls’ College has educated young women for the best part of a century. So when it came to a major redevelopment of the school, some key decisions about preserving its heritage and defining the future needed to be made.
“The main ambition of the project was to shift the school from an Edwardian, segregated model of education that was highly internal and inaccessible to many, to one that is open, vibrant and alive,” says project architect Frances Vessey of WSP.
Key was the retention of the three-storey unreinforced masonry Category 1 Heritage-listed facade and entry vestibule of the main building. These have been integrated seamlessly into the new main block and provide tangible links to the school heritage, as well as 21st-century educational spaces that support the continued growth and success of the school.
An important factor in planning was Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) design. The new facilities provide excellent ILE opportunities with a balance of expansive and flexible open-plan areas, smaller break-out and study settings, and tailored specialist teaching spaces.
The project consolidates the school around the new main entrance and quad, or the ‘heart’ of the school, providing key vertical circulation between the floors and creating a vibrant, active space where people can connect.
This is particularly significant when you consider the topography of the school. From its lowest point to its highest, there is a difference of 10 storeys, but these are inter-connected at every level.
To foster a more inclusive learning environment, the Supported Learning Centre was brought from the fringe of the school into its heart. Previously, students’ ability to interact, learn and grow was limited, putting them at a further disadvantage. The new design puts them in the thick of the action –
From its lowest point to its highest, there is a difference of 10 storeys, but these are interconnected at every level.
The project has consolidated the school around the new main entrance and quad, described as the heart of the school. improving their access to every part of the school and the college community.
Additional contemporary touches include a cultural centre available for use during weekends and holidays, a prayer room and gender-neutral bathrooms.
The verdict: “The project has resulted in a remarkable rejuvenation of the school buildings and site,” says Bruce Curtain, head of WSP Architecture.
“These now reflect the vibrant school culture, which celebrates educational excellence and cultural diversity, takes pride in its heritage and provides innovation and a forward focus in its teaching.” +
WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE
Austin St, Mt Victoria, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington OWNER, DEVELOPER MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CONSTRUCTION NAYLOR LOVE CONSTRUCTION ARCHITECT; SERVICE, STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL ENGINEER WSP QUANTITY SURVEYOR RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL PROJECT MANAGER THE BUILDING INTELLIGENCE GROUP
Bringing imagination to life
Wellington East Girls College
“The historic vestibule has been painstakingly and beautifully restored, and reconnected to the daily life of the school.” Tony Sutherland
RLB.com
Light and bright is the prevailing impression of The University of Auckland's new Park West building. It has a reflective exterior, a landscaped courtyard and a sun-filled atrium around which academic spaces have been built.
A CLEAN & ENDURING BILL OF HEALTH
Once they were miles apart. Now they sit in perfect harmony as next-door neighbours. This is The University of Auckland’s new building for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
The building – known as Park West – brings together the Schools of Medicine and Population Health on a 6114sqm site, completing the consolidation of the faculty on the inner-city Grafton campus.
The University’s primary requirement was to relocate the School of Population Health at the T¯ amaki Campus, to Grafton, which was located 10km away, by the end of 2019. The vision for the new building was to create a flexible space with high-end facilities and a positive working environment for both staff and students. This – and much more – was accomplished by participating parties taking a collaborative approach to achieving tight deadlines and meeting budget.
The project, which maximises the development potential and value of the 6114sqm site, was designed and delivered in just 36 months by a motivated, experienced team. And it came in $8 million under the construction budget – an impressive and satisfying result for all parties involved.
Containing a range of academic spaces built around a generous atrium, the building responds thoughtfully to its surroundings, providing an elegant addition to Park Rd and the university. It comprises learning and teaching spaces, places for academic work, collaboration spaces and a teaching and research facility that includes audiology, nutrition, speech, cardiovascular, bone and joint clinics.
The need for space drove an intentionally simple layout based on two road-facing blocks, extending four levels above the street and connected by an atrium. Framed by the buildings and neighbouring properties, a beautiful outdoor courtyard delivers light to below-ground levels.
The exterior provides a contemporary foil to heritage neighbours with details such as generous street canopies. A protected po - hutukawa tree provides a defining feature of the building entry.
The university’s brief called for a generic academic building that enabled future flexibility. The Park West building is designed with floor plates to house current ‘dry’ activities in the short-to-medium term, but future-proofed to accommodate ‘wet’ research laboratories, if needed. The generous 4.2m floor-to-floor height makes this outcome more achievable.
The durability of materials and quality of construction mean the building will long outlast its 50-year design life. And with opportunities for adaptive
Flexible spaces and high-end facilities create a positive environment for staff and students.
reuse, it will provide the university with an asset that is energy-efficient and adaptable.
Park West offers a fantastic environment for students and staff, while also serving an important community function, providing access to a range of subsidised clinical treatments. And it has been met with neighbourly approval. Feedback from those around the building has been overwhelmingly positive. +
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND PARK WEST
26-30 Park Ave, Grafton, Auckland Central, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER, DEVELOPER THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND CONSTRUCTION HAWKINS ARCHITECT JASMAX SERVICE, STRUCTURAL MECHANICAL, ENGINEER BECA QUANTITY SURVEYOR RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL PROJECT MANAGER PRECON OTHER CONSULTANTS BARKER & ASSOCIATES, TONKIN + TAYLOR
Bringing imagination to life
University of Auckland Park West
“As universities evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century, this fit-for-purpose facility is enhancing the health of local, national and global communities through excellence in teaching, research, service and engagement.” Chris Haines
