Wakatipu High School
The Wakatipu High School project is one of four large new school projects won by the ASC Architects/Hawkins construction team as the second of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) school agreements with the Ministry of Education.
Opening in Term 1 2018, this 10,500m² state of the art facility has been designed to achieve a 5 Greenstar built rating. Catering for 1200 students it supports an approach to learning that encourages students to become independent learners and develop to their full potential. It is one of the most modern and innovative schools in New Zealand and replaces the existing Wakatipu High School.
Location
Queenstown
Date completed
2017
Client
Ministry of Education
Team
John Sofo
Photography
Stephen Goodenough
Awards
Property Council Awards
Excellence Winner, GIB Education Property AwardsLearning Environments NZ Awards
Winner, Entire New FacilityMaster Builders Association
Silver NZ Commercial Project Award
The entrance to the school is welcoming to the community with a strong visual connection through the foyer to the enclosed courtyard and ‘learning community’. A ‘circulation street’ encloses the courtyard and feeds into the modern learning commons and specialist learning spaces. The Queenstown environment provides a breath-taking backdrop for the school’s many outdoor education activities.
Planning of the learning spaces is carefully articulated to foster multiple educational methods, fostering openness and connectivity. Edges of the learning spaces dilute into the central hub circulation and outdoor learning areas to create multiple opportunities for learning and play in various environments. The irregular internal walls provide nooks and crannies to add a sense of energy, interest and activation. Through sliding glass doors and operable walls, spaces can be open and transparent.
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