Mount Albert Grammar School - Nairn Block

Education

13 Mar

Mount Albert Grammar school is the second largest school in Aotearoa, with a roll of 2700 students and a growing roll from within a diverse community in the central Auckland suburb. The project scope was originally to create a Masterplan vision, in this historically rich campus. Nairn Block caters to 500 students from Years 9 to 13 and features a Library, Admin rooms, 20 Teaching space for social science and a Whare Wanaga. The design maintained the traditional single-cell typology of classrooms, with some provision of flexibility for future adaptation.

The brief for the new Nairn block focused on three primary outcomes. Firstly, an educational outcome that recognises the positives of the traditional pedagogical methods. Secondly, to create an environment that is conducive to the varying levels of students, with adequate circulation to this highly populated school, without any compromise to existing teaching spaces. Thirdly, to create a cultural entry to the central courtyard and sporting field.

Our historical research showed us that the school had occupied the site since the 1920’s, with significant growth in residential and commercial properties in the area over the decades. The main administration building is classified as a heritage building, so the new, adjacent building required special and careful consideration of façade design.

Location
Auckland

Date Completed
2024

Client
Ministry of Education

Project Contact
John Sofo

Photography
Michael Ng

In the façade, the juxtaposition of concrete and glass with the louvres were designed carefully to integrate the traditional masonry and modern curtain wall glazed system. The masonry elements were GRC concrete panels, which gave the desired look of the traditional solid panels that dominates the adjacent architecture within the campus, yet maintaining a light-weight construction.

Large sun-shading louvres were carefully designed with detailed daylight and energy modelling to engineer the elements with precision and articulation. The weaving of the Whare within a teaching block reflects on the duality of the partnerships of tradition and modernism in this inclusive environment.

The school recognises the importance of a holistic or all-round education; therefore, it was vital to provide spaces that facilitates a wide range of activities. To address the cultural brief, the design incorporated a connected Wharenui named as Te Puna Wananga. This whare of 2 Teaching spaces was also designed as a cultural space that acknowledges the importance of Te Ao Māori in MAGS. It is a safe environment within which the students can practice tikanga Māori (customs and traditions), as well as strengthen their knowledge of Te Reo through various Kaupapa.

The Nairn buildings design is a state-of-the-art Teaching block addition to this centennial school facility, setting the precedence for future additions towards the Masterplan. The execution of this project within a live school environment has delivered an outcome that has far exceeded the expectations and requirements of all stakeholders.