Campbells Bay Primary School's modern approach to educational design
At a glance
Campbells Bay Primary School has experienced significant roll growth over the years, prompting the need for an expansion. The brief was the construction of a two-story, 14 teaching space classroom building. The school wanted a building that was in keeping with the design language of the existing school grounds, but also something that was modern and can stand the test of time. It was also important to the school that the internal spaces are flexible to accommodate the various teaching pedagogies.
The challenge
The chosen site, adjacent to a row of historic Pohutokawa trees, is central to the school's identity. Fighting for precious land space, the placement of the building required a careful balance between maintaining useable play space while preserving the existing Pohutukawa Trees. The design process required many consultations with key stakeholders, including the client, the school and the wider community.
Our response
Drawing inspiration from the existing school, the cladding materials were carefully selected, comprising of brick, fibre cement and weatherboard. In doing so, the new learning block acknowledges the design language of the existing, while establishing its own distinct modern identity through the introduction of timber-look louvres and large aluminum joineries.
Inside, the design concept revolves around infusing the teaching spaces with an atmosphere of warmth, vitality and connectivity. We envisioned a space where every corner is alive with colour, texture and purpose, inviting students to engage, explore and learn. Colours were carefully selected to demarcate various spaces, while inviting tea bays and joineries were strategically placed throughout the building to create cozy nooks for students and teachers to learn and connect.
The open plan learning space on both levels connect to various breakout spaces and wet areas. This allows the spaces to be modified to suit large group learnings as well as focused smaller group settings. Activity-based teaching space design increases efficiency and maximises the available space while the open-plan layout encourages interaction between students and teachers.
Thermal modeling revealed that the building would meet the Ministry's comprehensive 'Design Quality Learning Space' guidelines through passive ventilation. Additionally, passive design elements such as warm roof, wall and floor insulation, louvre shading systems, vertical louvres for wind breaking and double-glazed windows were implemented, contributing to long term economic efficiencies.
The project also includes the installation of retention and detention tanks, along with a rain garden filter system. This system ensures that all captured pavement runoff is effectively filtered and discharged into the natural watercourse that runs through and feeds the native bushland on site, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The impact
The project's impact extends beyond the confines of the learning block, benefiting the environment, community and cultural heritage of the area.
The evolving landscape of learning environments in Aotearoa New Zealand