Whātaitai Hub -Kilbirnie School
Three worn-out prefab classrooms were replaced with this new environmentally responsible and adaptable learning hub, which integrates with a revamped outdoor recreation area and the school’s Garden to Table programme
This Learning Hub is in alignment with the schools’ environment and values, providing a variety of spaces catering to a full range of learning modalities for inclusivity & collaboration. Careful consideration of the interior layout and acoustics was used to create pocket spaces to provide opportunities for group breakouts without closed off areas. Flexibility and choice in the use of spaces, and control of heating & ventilation, support agency & evidence-based practice.
The main entry opens into a central Learning Area flanked by a Maker Space which provides for art, technology, and Garden to Table food preparation, cooking and sharing. Two smaller Learning Areas and a separate Presentation Room adjoin the main space. A Small Breakout and a quiet Cave Space complete the mix. This layout allows for full collaboration across all spaces, with the flexibility to alter usage to suit the ever-changing needs of a thriving learning environment.
Placing the building at the southern edge of the site responds to design influences, including site circulation, outdoor connections, and micro-climate. This placement also creates outdoor learning areas to the sunny north, east & west of the building, providing direct connections with and transition between, inside and outside. Screening at the west end provides additional shelter from the westerly wind and containment for coats & bags. The simple east-west gable roof includes a clerestory window which helps achieve good natural light and easy cross ventilation of the interior.
The building structure is all timber, in keeping with our preferred sustainable, low-carbon approach to design. Wool insulation supports thermal comfort and minimises heating needs. Material selections were made to prioritise Declare or other environmental certification, and low VOC finishes. Together these design solutions support effective pedagogy and learning by providing a healthy and comfortable interior environment.
This building completes 15 years of overall building redevelopment at Kilbirnie School, with earlier projects including a new four-class Learning Suite, a new Administration Block & Hall, and a classroom block remodelling. The school community appreciates the vastly improved learning environment including the strong connection to nature through extended learning and play spaces beyond the building.
