School Buildings

Mt. Eden Normal Primary School

Project Description:

The brief for this project involved the upgrading of inadequate and outdated school administration facilities and enlargement of the school library, a very typical scenario for a NZ primary school built in forty years ago. At the same time, the Board of Trustees hoped to create a more appealing and clearly defined entry to the School. The combination of a very limited site area and tight budget required some creative rearrangement of existing areas and the careful insertion of minimal additional space, all to be constructed while the office was still in operation.

It was decided to convert an existing staffroom into additional library space allowing a new staffroom to be built. The staffroom and general office area have new roof forms which are intended to bring sunlight from above and afford a view of Mt. Eden (from the staffroom). The office roof extends out to form a prominent new entry portico ; a large timber truss adds a Pacific flavour to the entry and provides a ideal position for the historic school bell . The before and after photos show the transformation.

Materials chosen give a contemporary look but are economical and robust : Hardiepanel sheet and corrugated Colorsteel. Internally, the budget was stretched to include good-quality wool carpet and upmarket fluorescent light fittings, two elements which we always try to use in order to create a quality environment for office staff and visitors to the school.

The new pitched roof shapes of the admin. area will soon be complemented by another similar roof and verandah over the adjacent hall for which plans are now well advanced.