New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/03C | Page 35

These pages:A 30m glazed
curtain wall, rakish design
angles and patterned external
concrete slabs give the new
ACG Gymnasium designed
by Babbage Consultants a
contemporary, sculptural
presence. Images by Mark
Scowen of Intense Photography.
This gleaming new gymnasium complex is the
latest stage in the development of the Academic
Colleges Group (ACG) school at Pyes Pa, Tauranga.
Together with its modern facilities, the building
adds a sculptural element to the campus. Babbage
Consultants undertook the multi-faceted project,
lead by architect Charlotte Saunders who worked
closely with Babbage civil and structural engineers,
geotechnical and building services teams.
“Babbage has worked with ACG from the outset
to develop facilities to cater for primary students
through to Year 13,” says Saunders.
“Part of the brief was the new gymnasium, which
includes classrooms that can be converted into a
function space, while the gymnasium itself can be
used for school assemblies and other activities.
“We had to be economical in our use of space
for this building,” she says. “There’s not a millimetre
wasted. Plus, everything needed to be highly dura-
ble, low-maintenance, and stand the test of time.”
The gym includes a full-size court area for netball,
basketball, volleyball and badminton, with bleachers
on both sides rising from mezzanine level above
changing rooms, plant rooms and storage areas.
The upper floors provide three classrooms that
can be converted into a function space overlooking
the outdoor playing fields and indoor court.
“Inside the gym, the end walls are clad with
perforated plywood panels, used for their acoustic
properties and to conceal and protect louvres that
allow natural ventilation,” she says. “The classrooms
also have acoustic walls that can be moved out of
the way to create the expansive function area.”
The double-glazing has a grey tint to reduce
glare and solar gain, while the ceiling is designed to
further deliver precise acoustics. The gym features
an advanced BMS that includes sensor-controlled
lighting, security and keyless entry.
For further details, contact Babbage Consultants,
phone: [phone]. Email: contact-us@babbage.
co.nz, or head online: www.babbage.co.nz
for more on this building: search 49719 or
acg gymnasium at Trendsideas.com
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