Marian College wins NZ Chapter Award - New Campus with Educational Facilities

Library

Photography by Sarah Rowlands

We are very proud to announce that Marian College has won the New Zealand Chapter Award - New Campus with Educational Facilities.

This is what the judges had to say about the project:

Marian College creates a new typology in school design. Through creative reuse of an existing warehouse building, it creates new possibilities for how a school can operate in Aotearoa. An urban village of school blocks is inserted under the existing roof. A new internal landscape is created between these blocks, providing opportunities for gathering community and learning. Central is the stunning chapel space.

The project has its genesis in the architect looking for a different way of doing things where a traditional new build approach had failed. Not only did this enable a tight budget, but it is also a statement in sustainability, reusing an existing building, while inserting new innovative. locally grown, lightweight, low embodied carbon timber structures. It provides more useable space that is typically afforded to a school of this size.

The design is evidence of comprehensive consultation including the Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Christchurch, other catholic groups, teachers, parents, past pupil, mana whenua and Pasifika families. The story of the building is a teaching tool. It welcomes the wider community with facilities, able to use many of the school facilities such as the covered courts, gymnasium, theatre, Chapel, library and café etc. This has reinvigorated the local community and neighbouring properties.

It is striking that something as prosaic as a disused 1960’s warehouse has been imbued with so much meaning, responding to the College mission & value statements that look to, service to others, care for the family, and care for the environment and sustainability. There are spaces for spiritual/emotional enhancement, academic learning and cultural responsiveness. This interior landscape creates a new opportunities and range of flexibility not afforded to a more traditional school.

Exterior view

Photography by Sarah Rowlands