Papamoa in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand by Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Article source: Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

A very tight programme saw the Children’s centre designed, approved and completed in 9 months.

The building is located on the edge of the Papamoa Beach township and our brief was to create a design that captured the nostalgic kiwi bach (holiday house) feel.

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

• Architects: Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)
• Project: Papamoa
• Location: Papamoa, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
• Software used: Archicad
• Client: New Shoots Early Childhood Centres / Pukenui Properties
• Structural Engineers: McNaughton Consulting Engineers
• Project Architect: Phil Smith, CASA
• Design Team: Phil Smith, Graham Collingridge, Grayson Wanda, Chloe Pratt
• M&E consultant: Eco Design Consultants
• Quantity surveyor: Pukenui Properties
• Planning supervisor: Simon Yates
• Lighting consultant: Mike Renwick, Lighthouse Remuera
• Main contractor: Pukenui Properties
• Form of contract and/or procurement: Negotiated Contract
• Total cost: Approx NZ $1.5 million
• Gross internal floor area: 650m² in 2 buildings, one preschool, one under 2’s
• Tender date: Dec 2010
• Start on site date: Jan 2011
• Contract duration: 6 months

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Referencing the elegant refined style of the LA case study houses and New Zealand’s own Group Architects, our concept reduces the functions of an early childhood centre into two simple ‘solid’ volumes, supporting a beautifully thin cantilevered roof. The classrooms are defined below the roof by sliding glazed screens allowing full indoor / outdoor flow to the north facing playground. All service and admin spaces are located in the ‘solid’ boxes, which define the circulation and entry to the centre. Through our passion for ‘complete’ design, the client was convinced to let us design and select all furniture, appliances, fittings, art work and landscaping leading to a fully cohesive architectural finish.

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Environmentally the building works very efficiently, making the most of passive solar gain in winter conditions through the low-e north facing glazing, whilst the large cantilevered roof overhang stops overheating from the high summer sun. The rear of the centre (south side) has limited openings and is highly insulated to limit heat loss.

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Ventilation is achieved naturally at 6x building code minimum via the large sliding glazed panels in the classrooms, whilst the admin spaces are all naturally ventilated through smaller openable windows.

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Blackwater is treated on site and irrigates a large native planted area at the rear of each building, which acts as the nursery for planting throughout the playground. Rainwater is captured from the roof and used to flush all wc’s and irrigate the playground, whilst high WELS rated water appliances are used throughout the centre to limit water use (taps are 6 star, wc’s 5 star).

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Children are taught about reducing their environmental impacts through these features of the building and their everyday practical application of them, as well as gaining a wider environmental awareness through the large natural playground, where they are surrounded by native plants, grasses and animals.

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Image Courtesy © Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA)

Tags: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Categories: ArchiCAD, Child Care

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