Te Kura o Manunui

Te Kura o Manunui is the reimagined Brookfield School. The new build will eventually be home to 550 students, all of whom can enjoy the design and structural narrative which anchors the school to its own core values and educational vision. Visitors from the local community will also appreciate the design as the spaces have been developed with them in-mind, the intention being for Te Kura o Manunui to become a civil hub for young people in the immediate area, outside of school hours. 

The design makes use of louvres and perforated screens to provide sun protection for students transitioning between classes, and for those in classrooms.  Inside, the dappled light carries a much reduced glare and warmth, helping maintain optimum learning conditions for students, in spaces free from blinding sunlight and excessive thermal gain. The coloured balustrade on exposed stairwells introduces the school shade of blue, reinforcing the setting and helping to create a sense of belonging for students.

Arguably the stand out feature of the facade are the white perforated screen, owing to their size and contrast against the dark coloured brickwork behind them.  There are 12 panels in total, varying in length from 4700 to 10550.  All are 5000 high and feature a standard dapple Hexagonal perforated pattern finished in a standard Duratec Arctic White powder coat.  

Solaris 200x50 fixed aluminium louvres are used on the stairwells of the south and west elevations.  All 63 blades are finished in a Matt Flaxpod powdercoat and fixed vertically at 200mm centres, supported by a clasp bracket fixed to the primary structure.  

The blue feature balustrades were proposed by Insol as a cost-effective alternative to the original design.  They are made from a marine grade 12mm aluminium sheet, having similar properties to mild steel and the additional benefit of corrosion resistance and lighter weight to install.  

The New Zealand Institute of Architects describes Te Kura o Manunui School as “ an inspiring place of learning for tamariki, where kaupapa, tikanga, te reo Māori and community are entwined in the school’s vision…the refreshingly simple material selection includes monochrome black brick veneer accented with a white motif that reflects a bird in flight”.  We’re inclined to agree with them and are proud to have played a small part in a design that was a 2024 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Winner.

Architect  ASC Architects                Contractor  Form NZ

Location  Brookfield