Mayfield Primary School

Houston Architects enjoy the challenge in finding innovative solutions that add value to a building project. Seven years ago Mayfield Primary School was looking to have a new Administration Block built for this decile ten school. Wayne Houston offered to produce a sketch plan for Principal, Colleen Murray, that would demonstrate their design ideas for the building. Two other architects were also invited to submit their concepts from which Houston Architects were eventually appointed. The administration building hinged on several key points. 1. It had an economic monopitch roof three degrees from front to rear. 2. It needed to be a commanding building showing some dynamic design to the street frontage giving the school an opportunity to present a fresh face to the community. 3. It needed to have a reflection of the Polynesian culture of the school. The design solution was to bridge the building from front to rear with a stylised inverted Waka shape. This would be used to provide shelter to the entry for the students at the rear of the building and the parents at the front. The resulting shapes were also able to provide overhead clear storey lighting to the arrival area, making this rather small area appear light and spacious. The entrances to the building opens to the reception area that has a curved desk divided by a sheltered money counting area that enables the two receptionists to receive the pupils at the rear entrance or the adults at the front entrance. An interview room and sick bay is adjacent to this area and both spaces are able to be supervised and visually monitored by the reception staff. The staffroom is a generous size with a curved wall presenting to the street acknowledging the mature oak tree in the front yard. The curve of the wall defines the staffroom turning away from the street to create a private outdoor staff area sheltered by a shade sail with generous bi-fold doors opening out for summertime enjoyment.