100 | New block on track The new block will include science, food, technology and hospitality teaching spaces. Clutha Community Hub T T Kim Newth COMMUNITY T T Richard Loader Stunning new hub ready to meet district’s needs Oxford Area School With a design brief that included creating a building that was a ‘traffic stopper’, the newly completed $24.4 million Clutha Community Hub — Te Pou Ō Mata-Au— has successfully achieved that brief, creating a facility the community can be immensely proud of. Located in the south Otago town of Balclutha, neighbouring the Clutha River and the town’s iconic wavy bridge, the design, structure and stature of this eye catching and beautiful building leaves the viewer in awe. Truly a facility for the broader Clutha community, Te Pou Ō Mata-Au, replaces the 1960s built War Memorial Hall that had reached the end of its useful life. The new facility is wholly owned by the Clutha community, which is represented by the Clutha Community Charitable Trust. Trust Chairman, Dale Anderson, says the Clutha District Council effectively gave the Trust permission to decommission the old War Memorial Hall to make way for the new facility, which has been completely developed by the community. “The purpose of the War Memorial Hall was to honour those men and women in the district who had served in the Second World War, and it was getting to a state where that was no longer the case. A feasibility study showed that there were huge gaps in the community that were not being filled by any other facility; everything from supporting social and community well-being outcomes, through to providing business amenities. The study suggested that it was better to decommission the old building and replace it with a new multi-purpose community, business and visitor hub that would meet the district’s needs now and into the future.” Following a competitive tender process, Calder Stewart was awarded the design and build contract, with Kieran Cooper Design behind the building’s original concept. SpaceWorks Interior Architecture was engaged to undertake the extensive interior design and fitout work. Construction is on target for the first phase of Oxford Area School’s long awaited $10 million redevelopment, with a substantial new block expected to be completed by early 2024. It will deliver new, fit for purpose science, food, technology and hospitality teaching spaces, designed for 21st century learners, along with new administration and library facilities. Funding for the school’s redevelopment was first announced by the Government in 2018. While finalising the building plans was a slow process, construction is now unfolding at pace. “The foundation was poured in May,” says Oxford Area School Tumuaki | Principal Mike Hart. “It was a two-part pour, with the first one involving some 50 trucks coming out and working from the early hours of the morning to late at night. We’re right on schedule and looking forward to being in the new building early next year. “There’s a real sense of pride sitting behind this. Now that we’re seeing the structural steel going up, you can start to see the size of it and it’s really building excitement in our community.” Once the new block is completed, the school’s old science block and two classrooms will be demolished to allow for landscaping around it. More classrooms will then be demolished to make way for the second phase construction of a new arts, drama and music block. To say that this redevelopment is reaching for the stars is no exaggeration. Oxford Area School has its own observatory but it was hard to see previously with old prefab classrooms in the way. Their demolition will clear the ground between school and observatory, with the redevelopment poised to further reinforce the astronomy theme along with a cultural “The Trust has also engaged with local manawhenua with the building’s design as we have progressed through the project, and that is reflected in the flow of the building and glass manifestations reflecting local Wai Kaou art.” narrative completed in consultation with iwi. Internally, the new block will include LED displays of constellations and walls featuring purapura whetū, a tukutuku pattern that represents the stars. Planned new paving and landscaping elements, such as sundials, will also reflect the narrative. “The night sky in Oxford is quite amazing and at the moment Oxford is pushing for a Dark Sky Park. Our new block will be named after a constellation, with our learning spaces also named around constellations and stars.” Oxford Area School caters for Year 1 to Year 13 students and is the only school in the town. This redevelopment was needed to accommodate future roll growth and bring learning spaces up to date, as the majority of existing classrooms are old prefabs. Mike says the school has been heavily involved in the design and build of this exciting transformation. “As we’re an area school, most of our classrooms are specialist spaces. We wanted to achieve synergies in our learning areas by linking science with food and technology, and grouping performance art and music with visual art. Most rooms will be the normal classroom size but we will have a couple of spaces to work collaboratively together. “The whole concept is built around the library as the hub of the school. The library is where our Year 1 to 13 students all come together. Off that is reception, student services and our staff offices. The canteen is connected to the library as well and flows to the outdoor area. Plus, food technology is connected right next to the canteen so authentic learning can take place.” Construction in this first phase is taking place in an enclosed area accessed from the street, so there is minimal overlap with the rest of the school. Mike says the school is adapting well as works continue, with some spare spaces available to accommodate transitional arrangements. The main construction contractor onsite is Brosnan, with the project manager an Oxford local resident. “They are doing a fantastic job.” P: 03 445 0553 • E: info@extremeroofing.co.nz • F: 03 445 0573 • maddison@extremeinsulation.co.nz Suppliers & Installers of: • Tray roofing • Corrugate / 5 Rib • True Oak • Rooflogic System • TPO & Torch on membrane roofing • Metrotile • Windsor Garage Doors • Premier Insulation • Scaffolding
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