| 45 Queen Margaret College COMMUNITY T T Sue Russell Brand new home for senior boarders QMR reflects a wider commitment to ensuring the College’s facilities continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of students. An old character house, once the home of the Mexican Embassy in Wellington, has been given a new lease on life as a senior boarding residence for Year 12 and 13 students at Queen Margaret College, one of New Zealand’s premier independent girls’ schools. The five-month long construction project delivered by Naylor Love has been long in the planning and very much anticipated by the school’s whole community. Principal, Jayne-Ann Young speaks enthusiastically about the school’s latest campus development, part of a long-term master plan that will see Queen Margaret College students and teachers enjoying an enhanced and future focused campus. “We’re tremendously excited about what lies ahead for our school,” says Jayne-Ann. “Over the past three years, we have delivered several significant campus projects, including the redevelopment of our library, the creation of a new Junior School playground, and the opening of Queen Margaret Residence (QMR). Each has been designed to enrich the student experience and support learning and wellbeing. Looking ahead, bold new developments are being planned to further open the campus and bring lasting benefits to our students throughout their years at Queen Margaret College.” The new boarding facility, QMR, opened in January this year, following extensive alterations to its foot-print, creating nine bedrooms, each home to two students, kitchen, dining, social and break-out spaces, along with accommodation for permanent and casual staff. Jayne-Ann can’t speak highly enough of the Naylor Love team working on the ground, keeping her constantly informed as to progress, diligently problem-solving as the inevitable unexpected issue popped up, and delivering within the allowed budget. “QMR is a beautiful space. Naylor Love understood our brief from the outset, which was to honour the legacy of a home while creating something fit for the future. Throughout the project, we invited boarding students and staff to tour the residence and share their thoughts while construction was underway. Their feedback was invaluable, and the finished residence reflects a truly collaborative effort with Naylor Love.” Prior to acquiring the property, the QMC Board of Governors had engaged McIldowie Partners, architects with extensive experience designing educational environments on both sides of the Tasman, to develop a comprehensive master plan for the future growth and enhancement of the College campus. Planning and design work for QMR commenced in late 2024, with the project progressing throughout 2025 before construction and refurbishment of the original home began in June 2025. “We set ourselves an ambitious deadline and from the moment we engaged Naylor Love, it was clear they understood the vision and were committed to helping us achieve it. What stood out throughout the project was Naylor Love’s ability to navigate challenges and adapt to the many refinements that come with transforming a historic building. Rather than presenting problems, they consistently presented solutions. Their expertise was evident at every stage, from re-engineering a staircase that had never been fitted correctly to uncovering hidden treasures within the building, including secret tunnels and concealed storage spaces that offered fascinating insights into the home’s history. It was a collaborative process, and a genuine pleasure to work alongside a team that approached every challenge with such professionalism and creativity.” Backing the success of the project was a highly capable and experienced Board of Governors, many of whom brought significant property, construction, and project management expertise to the table. Working in close partnership with the Board’s Campus Development Subcommittee and two highly experienced business managers, the project benefited from strong governance, practical oversight, and a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality outcome for the College community. Asked how residents are finding life at Queen Margaret Residence, Jayne-Ann’s response says its all: “They love it! QMR reflects everything we’ve learned about boarding and what helps young women thrive as they prepare for life beyond school. It provides greater independence while maintaining the strong sense of community. The girls have opportunities to cook, manage their own laundry, study in dedicated quiet spaces, and enjoy time with friends in shared living areas. Just as importantly, they have choice, responsibility, and ownership over their daily routines. What we hear most often is that it feels like home. For us, that’s what success looks like. Creating an environment where students feel supported and connected, while building the confidence, independence, and life skills they will need for the next stage of their lives.” More broadly, Jayne-Ann says QMR reflects a wider commitment to ensuring the College’s facilities continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of students. “We are constantly considering how education will evolve and how our learning environments can best support the needs of future learners. Alongside projects such as QMR, we are investing in purpose-designed curriculum spaces that foster creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, entrepreneurship and innovation.” Now firmly established as part of the Queen Margaret College community, QMR has given new life and purpose to a historic Wellington home. “It’s much more than a building,” says Jayne-Ann. “It’s a home for our senior students, where independence, confidence, and community flourish together. It’s been wonderful to see our Year 12 and 13 students thrive in an environment that supports both freedom and responsibility.” ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ AMC was proud to work with Naylor Love to complete the electrical and mechanical for the Queen Margaret College project.
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