| 3 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Green School New Zealand “We think every school should have rainbows and waterfalls. Everywhere you look you are reminded that you’re part of somewhere, something magical.” to page 4 Richard Loader Thriving on its sustainable mission Idyllically located in Oakura, under the Kaitake Ranges, GSNZ is nestled on a 121 acre ex-farm site, affording views of Taranaki Maunga and the bountiful Tasman ocean. • German Designed Floor Screed produced in New Zealand • Fast Installation, Thinner screeds & better warmth underfoot • Quality Control Testing to meet New Zealand Standards. Phone: 07 888 4327 or 0800 399 649 Email: info@ezymix.co.nz • Website: www.ezymix.co.nz • German Designed Floor Screed produced in New Zealand • Fast Installation, Thinner screeds & better warmth underfoot • Quality Control Testing to meet New Zealand Standards. Phone: 07 888 4327 or 0800 399 649 Email: info@ezymix.co.nz • Website: www.ezymix.co.nz TARANAKI WIDE Ph. 06 757 8012 | 137 Molesworth Street, New Plymouth Ph. 06 278 0129 | 97 Camberwell Road, Hawera admin.hawera@graypainters.co.nz www.grayspainters.co.nz New Home Specialists | Residential | Commercial | Industrial Expert Paper Hangers | Spray Painters | Water Proofing Water Blasting | Sand Blasting | Muralflex Cowshed Coatings Do you remember the days down by the old school yard, where uninspiring classrooms rose from hard concrete ground; barren of freshness, innovation or diversification and lacking the magical sense of a welcoming place where the gift of learning was fun. Green School New Zealand (GSNZ) is disrupting and challenging this archaic picture of Kiwi schools, by creating intentional spaces of beauty, and a being a global iconic beacon for sustainable education; a school for now and for the future. Idyllically located in Oakura, under the Kaitake Ranges next to the Oakura river in Aotearoa’s sunniest region – Taranaki, GSNZ is nestled on a 121 acre ex-farm site, affording views of Taranaki Maunga and the bountiful Tasman ocean. Founders, Michael and Rachel Perrett, selected the site as it is was their home region, and ranked highest in their feasibility study. “Taranaki needed another education option,” says Michael. “GSNZ’s location has many natural assets, an incredible microclimate, regenerating forests, pure alpine river water and strong natural soils, diverse flora and fauna, not to mention rainbows and waterfalls. “We think every school should have rainbows and waterfalls. Everywhere you look you are reminded that you’re part of somewhere, something magical. “Rachel and I are our mission. We are not just learning green, we are living green. Now. We live our Green School values and test our skills. Everyone is part of the Green School way of thinking and learning.” Many notable local and international designers and experts have been invited to contribute to the Green School vision. The campus’ master plan was created by Neil Thomas at Atelier One, UK, and Elora Hardy at Ibuku, Bali. Stage One was completed from bare paddock to operating school in nine months, and encompassed three waka/learning pods, which are elliptical off-ground structures. There was also a repurposed administration and toilet block, a refurbished haybarn transformed into a community centre, and all the infrastructure required for the school to operate and scale. Stage Two is nearing completion, on budget and only a little over time, says Michael. “The eleventh of November has been scheduled for the grand opening,” says Michael. “We’re very, very proud to be able to deliver such a quality world class project in New Zealand, at this difficult time for the construction industry.” Designed by Glenn Brebner and Milca Severo from New Plymouth architectural practice BOON Ltd, infused with Michael’s passionate vision, Stage Two includes The Kina, the stage’s jewel in the crown. A very dramatic circular building, The Kina is made up of five segments, or learning spaces, for the junior school and will take 160 enrolments. “We intentionally select shapes derived from nature. The Kina is the perfect shape for an interconnected but separated learning environment. Kina is Taonga, a precious delicacy and universally respected food source by coastal indigenous people worldwide.” Next to the Kina is the iHub (Innovation hub), which includes a large scale ‘makers’ space’ embracing metalwork and woodwork facilities, kitchen and toilets. There is also a recreation surface for sports. Selected following a competitive tender process, Livingstone Building Limited brought a multi-regional footprint and public building code experience to the project.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=