stephenson & turner re-imagine primary school admin building in auckland
with special attention paid to identity, stephenson & turner created a welcoming entrance to the school, which elicits a sense of pride and playfulness.
stephenson & turner re-imagine primary school admin building in auckland
all images courtesy of sacha stejko
stephenson & turner architects recently realized the administration building for the ‘whenuapai primary school’ in auckland, new zealand. the school’s design is derived directly from its identity, which is characterized by the four colors: green, yellow, blue, and red. the aim was to formulate a welcoming entrance to the school, which elicits a sense of pride and playfulness.
natural, crisp materials are a reflection of the building’s context
form was created in response to an initial analysis of the plot, its neighboring buildings, and various mandatory regulations and restrictions. the building was relocated from its former position on-site, and the main drop-off road was eliminated. thus, the school is more easily approachable.
the aerodynamic roof peaks towards the hills beyond
the exterior is clad in cedar to make the administrative facility more enticing. crisp steel support lines and colored concrete strips create an rhythm throughout, and changes as light moves during the day. the roof is tilted, which connects the school’s identity to the nearby whenuapai airbase. conceived as an ‘eyebrow’ the tilt draws an outline around the structure, and frames it within view.
the slender black ‘eyebrow’ emphasises the roof’s tilt and offers a play on light and shade
elevational view
a corner of the front was peeled away to create a bold and inviting front entrance
dynamic angles provide edges of movement
dark, contrasting strips in the concrete create a rhythmic pull into the school
light-filled meeting room with yellow accents
directional carpet patterns and lighting emphasizes the slope of the ceiling
concept sketch
the building plan was designed as a response to an initial site analysis
project info:
project: whenuapai primary school administration building
architects: stephenson & turner
photography: sacha stejko
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