Case Study: Watts & Hughes construct flagship school for the future

CASE STUDY

Watts & Hughes construct agship school for the future

Onepoto School - Images courtesy of Watt s & Hughes Construction

It takes skill and balance to navigate the delicate line between design and construction.

Watt s & Hughes make it look eff ortless, and they say it all comes down to building something more than bricks and mortar relationships. Contracts manager Lance Doyle says that to create the big things, you have to get the litt le things right: “The big thing for us is being able to traverse the two divides design and execution. We centre the fact that if we take on a project, we are very much a collaborator. We realise that schools welcome contractors on board and work in strong collaboration with them in order to complete a successful project.” So, relationships are central: “You have to work with everyone involved equally well.” Lance’s team has overseen many hugely successful school projects. Three schools illustrate the company’s commitment to quality across the entire design and build process. One featured on the cover of School News last year: the stunning Onepoto School, shimmering on Auckland’s North Shore.

Onepoto School’s remarkable transformation

Working with architect Alastair from Ministry of Architecture + Interiors Ltd, Watt s & Hughes oversaw the $19.5 million project to transform an ailing group of 1960s buildings into a fl agship school for the future. Organised around four learning studios, each with a variety of spaces for students to use, the new school is housed in one continuous building, designed to create a village atmosphere and reinforce the idea of the school as a community. “The rebuilding of the school has brought with it the opportunity to create learning spaces that can respond to the methods of modern pedagogy, that are safe and healthy and that have the fl exibility to adapt to changes over time,” says architect Alastair Kay. Not only did the results att ract high praise, from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern no less, who opened the new school last year, but the process too. Onepoto School Principal Daniella Latoa-Levi was astounded by the outcome and overall.

“Students enjoyed seeing the building work progress and were included in the construction phase. Watt s & Hughes facilitated appropriate access for the students to view the works along the way,” she smiles: “The whole project has been a huge team eff ort.”

Ambitious new design for Auckland school

Ngākōroa School is another current project to have Watt s & Hughes at the helm. On a newly purchased site covering 3,400m² south of Auckland, design began in 2020, to create an entirely new school encompassing over 5000m² with an ambitious new design. Three new buildings plus a specialist needs building and pavilion centred around landscaped, shared outdoor space, included fi rst and second fl oor teaching and learning locations, with multiple breakout spaces. A multi-purpose hall, new library and administration block were part of the overhaul. An offi cial opening ceremony and celebrations are due to be held this year, COVID restrictions permitt ing.

A school designed to honour the kete and mahi raranga

Watt s & Hughes is also in charge of the development of nearby Mangapikopiko School. Currently operating as Park Estate School, Mangapikopiko will be the school’s new incarnation, complete with entirely new build on a new site adjacent to the Manukau Harbour, to meet the needs of the growing population of Papakura.

The heart of its design honours the kete and mahi raranga (woven patt ern), as a metaphor to describe the school as a provider for the community and, most importantly, its tamariki. The school, named Mangapikopiko aft er the original term for Papakura’s wetlands, is scheduled for completion in Term 3 this year.

Having succesfully collaborated with Jasmax Architects' Callum Dowie on Ngākōroa, Mangapikopiko, and Stonefi elds Schools, Lance reiterates: “The success of our work comes from an understanding that we need to work well with everyone involved. We have done this to a point that we are now being consulted not only on new school builds, but on new sites being considered for development.”

With a stellar record of quality outcomes on past and current projects, Lance’s team has earned its reputation as one of the country’s most sought-aft er school construction collaborators.

Lance proudly says: “Our professional oversight across the entire design and build process in this space has proven schools can trust our team to deliver preferred outcomes.”

Watts and Hughes Construction are well known and trusted for their outcomes. Watts & Hughes Construction o er knowledge & experience with over 1000 projects completed

Onepoto School – Design & Build

Stone elds School – Design & Build, New 24 Space Teaching Block Ngākōroa School – Design & Build- New School Campus

Stone elds School – Bespoke Bleachers

• Design and build (New Schools) • Re-builds to existing Schools • Stand Alone Classrooms • Infrastructure Upgrades

From concept through to design, management and construction, Watts & Hughes Construction is committed to doing the job correctly rst time – every time. Located in Auckland, Christchurch, and Tauranga, Watts & Hughes continues strengthening their presence in the construction industry throughout New Zealand.

Auckland 15B Vestey Drive Mount Wellington 1060 PO Box 1142 Auckland 1145 Ph: (09) 573 5750

Christchurch

69 Nazareth Avenue Middleton Christchurch 8024 Ph: (03) 423 9305

Tauranga

27 Owens Place Mount Maunganui 3116 PO Box 11-165 Papamoa 3151 Ph: (07) 547 4074

Hamilton 1B Maui Street Hamilton, Pukete Hamilton 3200 Ph: (07) 849 0097

Operated by Tauranga

Wellington 27 Jarden Mile Ngauranga Wellington 6035 Ph: (04) 801 7231

Operated by Tauranga