Te Raukura ki Kāpiti is a vibrant new performing arts centre at Kāpiti College, a valuable resource for both the college and the wider arts community.
Kāpiti College commissioned McKenzie Higham Architects by way of a design competition, for a new Performing Arts Centre to replace their existing inadequate disconnected performing arts spaces. The vision for the project quickly developed into a more ambitious arts venue to be used by the college, the local Kāpiti community (which lacked any suitable community arts facilities), and the wider arts sector. There was enthusiastic support and engagement from the local community, including significant fundraising.
The new centre - Te Raukura ki Kāpiti - combines specialist learning spaces with a 'state of the art' theatre. The space provides a high degree of flexibility, able to accommodate a wide range of uses and performance types. The foyer is a striking and welcoming entry and audience spaces are generous and engaging. The building is a distinctive angled arrangement of three discrete forms: the auditorium, the black box theatre and the double height foyer in-between. Bold use of colour enlivens the centre inside and out, creating a strong visual focus for arrival to the campus.
Locating the centre at a new public entry from Raumati Road has created a civic presence previously lacking for the school. Direct access to the college from the main road has also resolved significant local traffic issues and congestion, and celebrates student arrival to the campus.
The design enhances the college's performing arts offering, providing the opportunity for students to experience high-end professional theatre facilities in house.
Project Location - Raumati, Paraparaumu, NZ
