The new McKenzie Higham Architects designed Greytown School learning spaces were officially opened on 17 May.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by local MP Kieran McAnulty, representatives of the Ministry of Education, school BOT, teachers, students and members of the local community. Coinciding with Pink Shirt Day (a nation-wide campaign aimed at stamping out bullying by celebrating diversity) the opening was both a very positive and colourful event.
We began working with Greytown School and the Ministry of Education in 2019 to design learning spaces to accommodate a rapidly increasing roll, as more families moved to the Wairarapa town. Construction commenced on the new development in 2021 and has created 9 new flexible-use learning spaces with adjoining areas that can be opened or closed off depending on need. These include two ‘maker spaces’ providing specialist science, art and technology opportunities, breakout rooms and a presentation space. The new buildings are essentially contemporary, but have been designed to respect their Greytown heritage context adopting traditional forms and claddings. The interiors are warm and comfortable, with a restful colour palette inspired by the rural environment in which the school resides.
