Groundbreaking eco classroom awarded

The proud students, staff and architects infront of their eco classroom

A groundbreaking eco classroom at Hukanui School in Hamilton is the winning design celebrated at the 2010 Waikato Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards, which are run by the NZ Institute of Architects and supported by Resene.

The Hukanui EnviroClassroom “The Living Room”, by Antanas Procuta Architects, was the only winner in the Sustainable Architecture Category this year.

The Living Room is an environmentally friendly, multi-purpose learning, exploration and meeting space for the students, teachers and the community. 

Jurors hailed it as “groundbreaking” as it was designed and built with input from students at every stage: from choosing the site location and materials, planning the final design and monitoring the building waste, to even helping building parts of the Living Room.

The room has a carbon footprint half the size of a typical classroom and faces north for maximum sun. Environmental teacher, Michelle White, explains, “All timber is non–treated, the room has double-glazed windows and doors and a thick dark thermal concrete floor with 30 per cent recycled aggregate.”

The under-floor insulation is set in three parts consisting of polystyrene, sealed wine bottles and student messages, as well as volcanic pumice.  

“It also features two partial earth walls for thermal properties, an environmentally friendly wood burner, louvers for ventilation and skylights for natural light and ventilation,” Ms White says. 

The students see this building as a learning laboratory where future students can monitor, experiment and explore environmental issues.

The Living Room has  been  in use all year.  During the development phase, over 200 students have been involved in the project, utilising Enviroschools principles.

The project has been a great journey for students and teachers, with supportive people putting up their hands to offer assistance in time, money and enthusiasm. Michelle White, says, “Anatanas Procuta Architects were one of our greatest supporters and thoroughly deserve to win the architect award.”