New $5 million educational facility opens

Clarence van der Wel, Judith Collins and Nigel Hicks.

ACG Strathallan officially opened its new Arts and Technology Centre at the Karaka independent school recently.

The $5 million Arts and Technology Centre will provide an unparalleled learning experience for the fast-growing roll of nearly 1200 students.

Clarence van der Wel, principal, says, “ACG Strathallan is a place where students are treated as individuals, appreciated and accepted for who they are.

“Students are encouraged and challenged to do their best and learning is central to this. The highly specialised spaces of the new building allow students to do their very best; it has been designed for this purpose.”

At the official opening Judith Collins, MP for Papakura and minister of police said, “I encourage the students of ACG Strathallan to make the most of their learning opportunities in this fantastic new facility.

“I trust the Arts and Technology building will provide an excellent learning environment for our young people and continue to foster students’ creativity and innovative thinking.”
With sweeping views of the Hingaia Peninsula, it couldn’t be a more inspirational space. Almost entirely naturally ventilated, the building is light and airy with high ceilings. Students can see out to other students kayaking down the estuary as they work on their art, photography, science research or design technology.

The centre includes a large auditorium which is still under construction and leads on to a cafeteria and lounge area. The technology is state of the art with wireless tablets which enable maximum technology mobility.

With years of specialist master planning and design in education, Beca provided the architecture and engineering design. Sustainability and future-proofing the building were major considerations.

Sean Kisby, architect at Beca commented, “The robust, yet flexible building includes an unusual combination of highly specialist spaces. As teaching requirements change over the years, the interior can be changed to suit, within the tough concrete structure.”