Add To Collection
Add to Collection
New Shoots Children's Centre, Whenuapai
New Shoots Children's Centre, Whenuapai
Whenuapai, Auckland, New Zealand
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by Smith Architects
New Shoots Children's Centre, Whenuapai
Whenuapai, Auckland, New Zealand
The New Shoots Children’s Centre is a long, low-slung building in Whenuapai, which is a growing residential development north-west of Auckland. It is one of the latest childcare projects that architectural practice Collingridge and Smith has designed.
New Shoots is a group of sustainable, architecturally designed early childhood centres located across the upper North Island. Owner and director Michelle Pratt, who is somewhat of a powerhouse in the early childhood sector, commissioned Collingridge and Smith to design their very first project in New Zealand. Approximately 12 years later, the architects are still working closely with New Shoots.
The design philosophies that both Collingridge and Smith and New Shoots believe in are similar – in particular, that children’s centres need to have plenty of daylight, be constructed with healthy, low-VOC materials and be naturally well ventilated. Light, colour, space and beauty are essential ingredients.
The architect feels so strongly about the topic of early childhood internal environment quality that the practice is currently undertaking their own research on the subject. “There are many early childhood centres out there that are not designed well. The ages of zero to five are when you’ll make the most impact on a human’s life, so they’re really important to get right!”
Whenuapai centre encourages imagination, play and fun, while being healthy and safe. Without a strict brief to follow, Phil says that the narrow site lent itself easily to the idea of a structured walkway placed along the length of the building.
The simple one-storey building’s exterior materials have been played down to create a backdrop for the striking pergola beams and are a simple mix of cedar cladding and aluminium joinery. Floor-to-ceiling glazing allows much-needed daylight to penetrate deep into the interior and, in summer, the whole building can be opened up to keep spaces fresh and cool.
Inside, the bespoke spaces were designed by consultant Chloe Forsman, who worked for Collingridge and Smith for several years but now focuses mainly on the interior design for the New Shoots centres, each of which have common themes that run through them yet are completely tailor made for the individual building.
Children can splash in the water, explore in the grass or hide behind the large, natural pine posts – it is the ideal environment to encourage imagination, exercise and play. If more early childhood centres could offer such a creative, interactive and healthy environment, we would no doubt see the widespread benefits across our communities.
New Shoots is a group of sustainable, architecturally designed early childhood centres located across the upper North Island. Owner and director Michelle Pratt, who is somewhat of a powerhouse in the early childhood sector, commissioned Collingridge and Smith to design their very first project in New Zealand. Approximately 12 years later, the architects are still working closely with New Shoots.
The design philosophies that both Collingridge and Smith and New Shoots believe in are similar – in particular, that children’s centres need to have plenty of daylight, be constructed with healthy, low-VOC materials and be naturally well ventilated. Light, colour, space and beauty are essential ingredients.
The architect feels so strongly about the topic of early childhood internal environment quality that the practice is currently undertaking their own research on the subject. “There are many early childhood centres out there that are not designed well. The ages of zero to five are when you’ll make the most impact on a human’s life, so they’re really important to get right!”
Whenuapai centre encourages imagination, play and fun, while being healthy and safe. Without a strict brief to follow, Phil says that the narrow site lent itself easily to the idea of a structured walkway placed along the length of the building.
The simple one-storey building’s exterior materials have been played down to create a backdrop for the striking pergola beams and are a simple mix of cedar cladding and aluminium joinery. Floor-to-ceiling glazing allows much-needed daylight to penetrate deep into the interior and, in summer, the whole building can be opened up to keep spaces fresh and cool.
Inside, the bespoke spaces were designed by consultant Chloe Forsman, who worked for Collingridge and Smith for several years but now focuses mainly on the interior design for the New Shoots centres, each of which have common themes that run through them yet are completely tailor made for the individual building.
Children can splash in the water, explore in the grass or hide behind the large, natural pine posts – it is the ideal environment to encourage imagination, exercise and play. If more early childhood centres could offer such a creative, interactive and healthy environment, we would no doubt see the widespread benefits across our communities.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.