Honouring heritage while embracing a modern approach to learning environments
The project at hand
We have been involved in numerous roles at Takapuna Grammar School, including project management of various 5YA upgrade projects, management of an extensive temporary accommodation project to re-house staff and students, and this, the management of the main block remediation project.
A balanced approach
The initial brief was based on weathertightness remediation and modern learning environment upgrades to the main block, which is a grade 1 heritage listed building. However, because the building also required extensive seismic upgrade the scope of the project increased significantly.
We have played an instrumental role in communication and liaison between the client, school stakeholders and the design team to ensure that expectations are shared and that the extent of works can be safely managed in the heart of an operational school site. Extensive liaison has also been required with Auckland Council in order to agree a methodology for the heritage restoration of the listed building.
Points of interest
- As part of the heritage restoration process, works have involved recovering and re-using as many bricks as possible.
- Various other projects at the school have already been successfully completed in order to facilitate the main block works. These include a very successful conversion of an existing classroom block to create a modern learning environment.
- One of the oldest secondary schools on Auckland’s North Shore, new works need to walk the line between honouring the school’s heritage and creating innovative new learning environments.
