Onehunga High
As part of a major redevelopment at Onehunga High School, multiple faculties that were once set apart have converged within a new Tech Block and Gymnasium designed by Ignite Architects. These two buildings allow for cross-curricular engagement and the use of shared teaching areas, fitted with Mondrian, Woodbine and Dimension carpet tiles from Advance Flooring to define and enhance different functional spaces.
‘For the Tech Block we wanted a warehouse feel, with exposed concrete and services,’ says Leandri Hay, Associate Director at Ignite. Housing woodwork and metalwork rooms downstairs and science labs and art studios upstairs, along with a central kitchen, the designers chose wood-look Woodbine carpet planks to help soften the space.
‘In circulation areas, we laid the plank tiles in a herringbone pattern to soften the industrial feel,’ says Hay. ‘In some areas we rotated the planks to define different breakout areas. Once into the classrooms we changed the colour to black to then differentiate the space.’
The new Gymnasium includes a weight room and an international-size basketball court, which is overlooked by three classrooms. ‘We wanted to bring the energy and life from the sports hall to the classrooms,’ says Hay, ‘hence the selection of the geometric Mondrian carpet tiles. We gave each of the teaching spaces a different colour to enhance wayfinding and identity, with the carpet accent colour echoed in wall colours.’
Taking inspiration from the art of Piet Mondrian, this carpet tile collection from Advance offers three different levels of design and carpet construction. Each level provides an increase in design complexity and thickness, allowing for complex geometric patterns and adding a different step feeling underfoot.
‘We have also utilised the Dimension entry carpet,’ says Hay. ‘Sports court floors are expensive, so the entry carpet is used at each threshold along the circulation spaces to make sure dirt and moisture are removed from students’ shoes before they arrive on the gym floor.’
With a 100% polyamide wear layer, and a backing made from 100% recycled materials, Dimension is an eco-friendly, hard-wearing, lightweight, easy to install entry tile. Says Hay, ‘As this is an educational facility, our criteria for all the flooring products are that they must be robust, hard-wearing and long-lasting.’
Products Used:
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CREDITS
Architect: Ignite Architects
Photographer: Dennis Radermacher
Writer: Folio
