The chance to build a new school doesn’t happen very often in New Zealand. When it does, architects and educators have the opportunity to embrace the latest thinking about learning environments. Of all the features they want for a new school, one thing shines through: natural light, and lots of it.
Lemonwood Grove School was a project made in heaven for those involved. Not just a brand new primary school, but a brand new school in Canterbury – a region that’s suffered the trauma of two major earthquakes. The school is located in Rolleston on the outskirts of Christchurch. Due to exponential growth over the past decade, the demographic is youthful; you see people pushing prams everywhere. For many families moving to Rolleston has been a fresh start; this feeling is at the heart of Lemonwood Grove School’s design.
Brightening the central spaces
Architects for the project, Stephenson & Turner, aimed for open, versatile learning areas that are primarily lit by VELUX skylights. The result is a thoughtfully crafted educational environment that sets a new standard for school design in New Zealand. The first thing everyone notices about the internal spaces is the natural light. This observation always comes with a smile. In the words of one Lemonwood Grove parent: “The learning areas at Lemonwood Grove are light years from the dark, dingy classrooms I experienced as a child. I love that my kids are learning in open spaces that are naturally bright.”
“While we could have designed the skylights to produce a straight shaft of light, what we decided to do was flare the bottom of the ceilings. This helps the light to dissipate more, rather than beam straight down. It’s easier on the eyes for both children and teachers.”
Fixed skylights, built to last
Lighting for learning
Survey data indicates that students rated being able to clearly see the board as important as being able to hear the teacher easily. Both students and teachers also reported that they prefer natural lighting over artificial; they actively dislike fluorescent lighting because of glare and flicker.
The building has 40 VELUX skylights in total. They all have auto blinds, a very useful feature that allows teachers to dim the light for certain situations. This type of skylight is easy to install and the flashings are simple. That sort of thing is important in an education situation. “I don’t believe there’s any other solution that would have worked as well as VELUX skylights. The outcome is the best natural lighting we’ve ever seen in a school.”