Some of these features, such as the seismic joints and the movement dampers, have been deliberately left in view and create much interest. Cooling is provided by a high-tech computer- controlled cold-beam system, which is like having radiators in the ceiling dropping cool air into the room when it gets too hot. “I am told there is a remote, but entertaining possibility of creating clouds if hot, sweaty boys have been out playing sport and return en masse to a classroom!” says Mr Leese. A strong visual feature linking the whole campus is that, with the demolition of the three buildings and the glass frontage of the new building, it is possible to have a clear line of sight from the quadrangle, through the foyer and out to the end of the Upper sports field. “Generations of boys froze when the wind came through the previous tunnel,” says Mr Leese. “This has now been eliminated and we also have a number of wonderful new views created.”
The new building is named after Sir Miles Warren, who was the school architect for many years. With his strong interest in protecting and preserving heritage buildings, he is widely credited with motivating the Board to earthquake strengthen the school. Mr Leese says, “This is why we came through the earthquakes with so many of our heritage buildings intact, and only comparatively minor loss. The new building fits in so well with the rest of the campus and it is a fitting tribute that we have been able to name it after Sir Miles.”
the learning spectrum and those with learning needs. The building also has a well-equipped motor sport facility as an extension of the materials workshops and for technical courses.
“In the classrooms, we have moved away from fixed digital projectors to movable high-definition TVs, which allows more flexible use of teaching spaces,” says Mr Leese. Another notable feature is the state-of-the-art seismic protection.
Architect: Alec Bruce from Wilkie and Bruce
Cost: $20 million
Main contractor: Naylor Love
Construction duration: two years
Service engineers: Powell Fenwick
Engineers: Holmes Consulting
College Issue 29 2015
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