78 | ARCHITECTURE Mod Architecture Collaborative behind kindy design Sue Russell Te Puna kindergarten incorporates two buildings connected at the entry point. The main pavilion has a gabled ceiling with sky-lights on the southern side. Free, No Obligation Quotes Phone 07 579 9118 Email info@grindking.co.nz www.grindking.co.nz • Commercial & Residential • High Quality Polished Concrete • Floor Prep • Floor Levelling • Epoxy Coatings • Professional Service • 15 Years in the Industry THE PROOF IS IN THE FINISH ENVIROLUTIONS.CO.NZ Whenyouneed a state of the art wastewater solution for your rural build... TEL: 0800 349 484 Tauranga based registered architect Andrew Ward established Mod Architecture back in 2009, initially just working on his own, though today he is one of four working in the practice. The bulk of the work is residential focussed with the odd commercial work peppered in the mix. One of these is the award-winning Te Puna Kindergarten, located halfway between Katikati and Tauranga. Designing Te Puna Kindergarten is Andrew’s first experience of the early-childhood sector and an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. “My son attended the original Te Puna kindy which, due to roading works planned by NZTA, had to find a new home. It really offered the staff a wonderful opportunity to think about what they really wanted to see in their new work place and the kind of feel the building would enable for children, staff and parents alike to experience.” As a small rural community based centre Andrew was keen to see the barn-like qualities of rural buildings reflected in the design. In those very early days Andrew put his hand up to assist the project to get started, offering his services pro-bono, and helping the owner of the kindergarten to find a suitable site. This was followed by steering a feasibility study. “I knew what their budget was and felt they could do a whole lot better than their former situation, if the design allowed for cost-effective materials to be used. The staff could see the value in what I thought could be achieved.” Driving the kindergartens size were the regulations governing floor area per children inside and out and the sorts of facilities required by the Ministry of Education. “It was a really exciting time for the staff. They had a wish-list and one of their wishes was that the kindergarten be accessible to other community groups to use.” Working with a collaborative approach to settle the final design meant that staff and parents alike felt invested in the kindergarten. Like so many designs, the concept used was simple in its physical expression. Two buildings are connected at the entry point with good open spaces. The main pavilion has a gabled ceiling with sky-lights on the southern side creating good air-flow and ventilation without over-heating the area below. “The teachers also wanted a carpentry area outside and fruit trees and gardens for the children to experience.” Special features such as the wooden slatted screen outside over the porch painted in shades to reflect the hills around, connect the building to its location. “The architectural language is a modern take on a rural barn or ancillary building, responding to the neighbouring sites and the site’s history.” “The architectural language is a modern take on a rural barn or ancillary building, responding to the neighbouring sites and the site’s history.” Andrew chose traditional barn-like materials such as timber to compliment and embed the notion of a modern farm Working with the constraints of budget meant that the goal of an environmentally sustainable building had to fit within parameters. Andrew says this was achieved by careful selection of building materials that would cost-effectively achieve this goal. This extended to the choice of standard corrugated iron, supplied by Adco Roofing which, Andrew says, worked in perfectly with the form of the building. “We associate corrugated iron with rural buildings and sheds so it was a good match and it ticked the box on cost as well.” Te Puna Kindergarten has been shortlisted for recognition by the Waikato & Bay of Plenty NZIA Architecture Awards. Judges have described the kindergarten as a fine example of a cost-effective energy efficient design. Passive thermal mass heating is a feature of the design, turning heat generated by the sun into the floor, to maintain a comfortable room temperature without the need for too much additional power use. Winners of each of the award categories will be announced 3 August. “For me it was a thoroughly worthwhile and very positive project and feedback from the staff and families has been really positive.”
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