Remarkable Award for Coffey Projects

Coffey International Limited’s Coffey Projects business has been recognised with a merit award for the innovative design of the Remarkables Primary School in Queenstown, New Zealand at the annual Property Council New Zealand/Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards 2011.

Remarkables Primary School combines futuristic design with the latest education practices and technology in a scenic, yet challenging, environment. The first state primary school to be built in the fast-growing Queenstown Lakes District of New Zealand in 30 years, the school was developed with the view that it would provide more than just education – it is expected to become a central hub within the local community.

According to John Dunn, Chief Judge of the Awards, the school’s “innovative design” and clever use of materials had resulted in a property “that not only achieves its primary goal, but also provides a facility that is used every day and greatly appreciated by the community”.

Innovative is certainly an apt description. Remarkables Primary School features classrooms built as pods around a central space, meeting spaces called “waterholes”, “campfires” where adults share their wisdom and “caves” which are private, secure places.

The site was not without some interesting challenges, each of them providing Coffey Projects with an opportunity for creative solutions. Built at the foot of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, it is an area that experiences severe weather. The location and shape of the buildings were designed to shelter the school from the prevailing westerly winds off Lake Wakatipu, while also maximising outdoor activity space.

Rigorous acoustic design was also necessary as the school is directly on the approach to Queenstown Airport – large international jets regularly fly 100m overhead on their takeoff and decent. As part of the solution, a multi-purpose concrete roof, innovatively constructed more like a floor, not only provides a barrier against sound, but is also accessible to students, maximising outdoor space and forming the main entrance to the school.

Coffey Projects Project Manager, Josie Cederman, said: “winning a merit award from the Property Council for the Remarkables Primary School project is a great testament to the vision and innovation displayed by the entire team involved in bringing this new school to life, and a great opportunity to showcase our work to our clients and colleagues alike.”

Recognising excellence in the built environment, the Property Council New Zealand/Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards is the pre-eminent property industry program in New Zealand. The annual awards program recognises the achievements of the sector’s finest professionals and companies.