RTA Studio Ltd

Freemans Bay School

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt

FREEMANS BAY SCHOOL

RTA Studio

ARCHITECTS
RTA Studio

LOCATION
Freemans Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand

AREA
2800.0 m2

PROJECT YEAR
2018

PHOTOGRAPHS
Simon Devitt

CATEGORY
Elementary & Middle School

ENGINEEING
Brown & Thomson Ltd, Bonacci Group

CLIENTS
Ministry of Education

SERVICES ENGINEER
22 Degrees

BUILDER
Watts & Hughes Construction

Text description provided by architect.

The existing site is situated along Wellington Street and Hepburn Street, in one of Auckland’s earliest settled areas, Freeman’s Bay.

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt
Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt

In close proximity to vibrant city suburbs and newly developed city precincts, Freeman’s Bay School is designed to create a fresh new center of modern learning which looks to the future whilst encouraging close ties with the community, history, and landscape.

The building proposes a solution type of architecture that inspires learning & promotes the fulfillment of potential in the local rangatahi (younger generation/youth).

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt
Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt

The new multipurpose hall and administration building fronts Wellington Street, and are connected with an entrance canopy that provides an inviting / welcoming entrance into the school, and functions as a substantial outdoor teaching space and covered play area.

The ridgeline references both traditional Maori forms, as well as the various roof forms of typical colonial flats and townhouses of the surrounding streetscape.

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt
Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt

Through the new entrance canopy, the removal of existing 1960s school buildings and carpark facilities made way for four new buildings that open on-to a new central courtyard, encouraging social interaction, and outdoor learning.

The vibrant and rich colors on the buildings represent the diverse cultural community and the children’s different ethnic backgrounds.

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt
Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt

The new learning hub is situated to the East, behind the admin building fronting North / West. The new whanau ata/library building sits West behind the hall, with the existing learning building to the North / East.

This building provides advanced ‘innovative learning environments’ (80-90 pupils per ‘classroom’ in open-plan spaces), offering a variety of new building materials and technologies.

Flexible teaching spaces allow for a variety of pedagogical practice, as well as a multitude of subjects & disciplines, for use by the school and the community alike.

Freemans Bay School
© Simon Devitt


Freemans Bay School
Ground Floor Plan - Learning House
Freemans Bay School
First Floor Plan - Learning House
Freemans Bay School
Floor Plans - Aministration & Hall
Freemans Bay School
Floor Plans - Whanau Ata & Library


Freemans Bay School
Facade
Freemans Bay School
Ventilation Diagram
Freemans Bay School
Elevations


Freemans Bay School
Learning Zones Diagram
Freemans Bay School
Site Plan

RTA Studio Ltd
T +64 9 3603313
RTA Studio Ltd
54 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand