2018 Ted McCoy Award for Education
Slides from the roof of the structure add to the youthful joy exuding from the Cathedral Grammar Junior School.
“Outside is controlled but beautiful while inside is functional but more chaotic,” says jury member John Melhuish.
Juror Richard Goldie said, “This extremely disciplined timbered structure has then been overlaid with the layers of joyous work by the children.”
“The beautifully detailed and executed glass and timber pavilions have been positioned on the site to open the school up to the street,” says juror Andrea Bell.
The NZIA citation describes the school as “an inspiring addition to post-earthquake Christchurch”.
At the Cathedral Grammar Junior School In Christchurch, Andrew Barrie Lab and Tezuka Architects have created a design that is both rigorous and playful: an environment in which it would be a pleasure to learn.
Jury Commentary
Richard Goldie, Andrea Bell, Amy Muir and John Melhuish
Cathedral Grammar Junior School is a lovely, humane learning environment that captures the joy of childhood. The use of excellently detailed natural materials complements the comforting courtyard arrangement, and slides from the roof are a welcome encouragement to youthful adventure. The building is an inspiring addition to post-earthquake Christchurch.
– NZIA Citation
“What a brave and unexpected project for Christchurch,” says Richard Goldie. “It is passionately embraced, with an absolute dedication to the resolution of the building, in terms of its technology and the fineness of tolerance that is achieved. This extremely disciplined timbered structure has then been overlaid with the layers of joyous work by the children: a beautiful contrast between the wonderful discipline of the building and the inhabitation by these very happy children. A project full of joy.”
“A lovely aspect of this project is that it’s a school on a corner site exposed on two sides. This is not denied but rather celebrated through the orientation of the building forms,” says Amy Muir. “There is, typically, a reduced scale to primary schools. This intimacy is carefully handled and is complemented by highly considered and crafted detailing. Externally, the idea of a courtyard is fully embraced. The perimeter is defined by a verandah that steps down into the courtyard, defining edge as seat and guiding movement throughout the space. There are so many lovely dualities playing out in this project.”
“Outside is controlled but beautiful while inside is functional but more chaotic,” says John Melhuish. “It looks simple but, as you get close, you see the passionate attention to detail and quality – it’s quite exceptional.”
“The beautifully detailed and executed glass and timber pavilions have been positioned on the site to open the school up to the street,” says Andrea Bell. “Normally schools are quite internally focused but this one gives back. There are amazing playful and delightful moments, which are totally appropriate for a primary school; the rooftop playground is connected to an undulating landscape by a slide and there are water spouts and troughs. Everything has an element of fun about it.”
See the full list of winners of the 2018 New Zealand Architecture Awards here.
