Designing a modern learning space with culture and community at its heart

TARAWERA HIGH SCHOOL

In the small mill town of Kawerau, Tarawera High School’s traditional style of teaching has been replaced with 4,400 square metres of new Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) facilities, which transposes complexity for simplicity in both function and architecture.

The design reflects Kawerau’s unique culture, history and landscape, and promotes the fulfilment of potential in Kawerau’s rangatahi (younger generation).

It includes a new performing arts theatre, administration building, food technology and hospitality suite, technology building, specialist and general teaching facilities and a Whare.

Spaces were designed to acknowledge local geography and history, and to be used by both the school and the community.

RLB provided full quantity surveying and cost management services.