| 83 ARCHITECTURE Birch & Pyne Architecture We are proud to provide structural engineering services to Birch & Payne Architecture Solving the toughest problems and delivering outstanding results • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • CONSULTING & ADVICE • EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATORS Proudly delivering projects with Birch & Pyne Architecture INFO@SSL.CONSULTING WWW.SSL.CONSULTING 0800 500 127 03 445 0670 mcengineering.co.nz Engineering design experts based in Cromwell and Wanaka, serving Central Otago and the Southern Lakes. MEYERCRUDEN CIVIL | STRUCTURAL | GEOTECH Fire Safety Solutions will have a Dunedin based designer from 2027 Fire Design Specialists Practical, cost effective design solutions Grant Smith 027 788 9808 grant@firesafetysolutions.co.nz Nigel Smith 027 735 1031 nigel@firesafetysolutions.co.nz Focus on education sector T T Aimee Wilson One recently completed project is the redevelopment of Block A, known as Kārearea, at Cromwell Primary School. For Birch + Pyne Architecture principals, Robert Birch and Keith Pyne, designing buildings for the Ministry of Education has been a significant part of their work for more than two decades. The company’s education portfolio throughout Otago and Southland encompasses a diverse range of projects, from new classrooms and halls, to alterations, redevelopment of specialist facilities, as well as infrastructure upgrades. “School property plays a key part in providing a quality environment for learning and for communities,” says Robert. “This means our projects have to deliver flexibility to support a wide range of users, be fit for purpose, and sustainable for future generations to come. It is also important that built school environment is easy to manage and maintain.” One recently completed project is the redevelopment of Block A, known as Kārearea, at Cromwell Primary School. The original building dates back to around 1960, when it accommodated woodwork and home economics classes at what was then Cromwell District High School. Following the site’s transition to Cromwell Primary School, the building underwent significant internal modifications in 1984, along with minor extensions, and became a teaching and administration building. “The latest redevelopment has reshaped the learning environment for future generations, incorporating an extension and redistribution of space within the existing footprint,” says Robert. Robert and Keith’s association goes back to Southland Institute of Technology, where Keith was a lecturer when Robert completed his Architectural Diploma in 2005. Keith not only taught at SIT, but contributed to its architecture and construction programmes, the Building Practitioner Licensing Scheme, and Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ). When Robert graduated, he joined the architectural division of School Support and eventually established the Dunedin office. Keith’s earlier career was with the Southland Education Board, and then he became the founding shareholder of an Invercargill company, following the introduction of Tomorrow’s Schools in 1989. That company then merged with SSL in the early 2000s. More than 20 years later, in 2023, the pair finally joined forces and established Birch + Pyne Architecture and Consulting. Both are long time professional members of ADNZ. Projects such as Cromwell Primary demonstrate the value of working within existing buildings while creating environments that better respond to the needs of modern education. The practice’s experience in the education sector has provided a strong foundation for its expanding work beyond schools. One of the biggest turning points since the company was formed has been its expansion into the private residential sector, providing design, documentation and consultancy services across projects ranging from family cribs and internal alterations through to extensions and new work in the residential sector.
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