Mangapapa School has always been at the heart of its community. But with ageing buildings in need of an upgrade, and compromised access to the sports field and pool across the road, it was time for a fresh start. The Ministry of Education backed a major rebuild designed to bring all teaching spaces together, create a safe and modern learning environment, and provide safe pedestrian access to the sports field and pool. Uniquely split by a public road, the campus was reconnected through a new raised crossing, alongside a car park with a dedicated drop-off bay to improve safety, access and traffic flow for students, whānau and staff.

From the very beginning, this project was about co-design. The Ministry of Education, school staff, students, contractors, local council and our team came together to shape a vision that was safe, modern and reflective of the community it serves. Every conversation, workshop and decision was guided by the people who would use the spaces every day. The result is a redevelopment that rebuilds around 65% of the school, with new senior, junior and administration blocks arranged around a central courtyard, supported by new playgrounds, car parking and upgraded infrastructure.

The new learning environments are designed to be flexible and future-ready. Teaching blocks support both collaborative and more traditional cellular models, using adaptable layouts and sliding partitions that can open up for team teaching or close down for focused learning. Specialist spaces sit between classrooms and extend outwards, bridging teaching areas and connecting to outdoor learning environments. Landscaped pockets, sheltered terraces and direct links to the courtyard draw learning outside, making the outdoors an everyday part of school life.

The Junior Block is the most distinctive expression of this vision. Constructed on the banks of the Mangapapa Stream, it embodies the idea of “the nest” – centred on an oversized breakout space large enough to hold a full class. This flexible hub can operate as an open-plan conjoint teaching zone or be pulled closed for quiet, focused learning. Classrooms enjoy a strong visual connection to the native bush lining the stream, while an outdoor play space with water troughs, slides and tiered steps forms an informal amphitheatre for outdoor teaching and imaginative play.