CASE STUDIES :

NEW CLASSROOMS- WHITBY

NEW CLASSROOMS
WHITBY / WELLINGTON / NEW ZEALAND

COMPLETED - SEPTEMBER 2007

Background Brief

A new classroom block was required for a rapidly expanding school in the Whitby area.

The brief required 2 classrooms, cloaks, stores and a garage that made the most of a great location and could also be used as one large assembly space.

The north elevation.

Concept

A single level floor area with external covered circulation.  The nature of the site allowed for the building to be partially elevated on timber piles to allow for a large garage and storage area below.  Accessible access was maintained from the existing block via a bridge.  An acoustic door spanning the width of the building allowed for the classrooms to be opened up into one space.  A single monopitch roof created a sheltered verandah and high-level windows to the street frontage.  The store and cloak areas were recessed from the classrooms to externally highlight the different spaces.

The covered verandah.
Interior Environment

Each classroom has excellent natural light and cross ventilation. A large bench runs the full length of the southern wall with high-level windows over.  The floors are of natural lino and wool carpet.  The walls are lined with plywood to the dado and then displayboard.  The ceiling follows the roofline and is lined with acoustic tiles.  There are multiple entry points to allow circulation either via the verandah or the cloakroom.

Looking towards the entry.

External Environment

The building was clad in rusticated weatherboards to match existing buildings on the site.  Much of the external timber was left unpainted including the soffits, decking, balustrades and baseboards.  The roof, spouting, downpipes, aluminum joinery and garage door where all pre painted 'karaka' to match in with the surrounding bush.

The south elevation.

Result

This is a simple elegant two-classroom block that has been completed to a very high standard by the builder.

The design maximizes natural light and complements an outstanding bush setting.

 Music room window
  DESIGN BY [ URBAN RONIN ] © DON JAMIESON ARCHITECTURE LTD                                                   Photographs by Sarah Edgar Photography.