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THE HUB

The heart of the campus will become a

magnet for students and staff with plans

to open it up to north-facing views of the

lake and landscape beyond, and the sun.

Project architects Warren and Mahoney Ltd have

completed concept design, and developed design

drawings to create a social, cultural, physical and

“virtual” hub, where students and staff can easily meet,

interact and learn from each other.

Design team leader Alec Couchman says making the

campus a more attractive place for students is a key

driver of the project.

“The nicest part of the campus is in front of the shops

looking out to the lake. It’s sunny and you have a lovely

view of the trees. What we want to do is extend that

feel,” he says.

The plan proposes relocating Bennetts Bookshop to

create a large, open plaza between the library and L

block on the north side which will incorporate cafes and

a bar, looking down towards the lake and shops.

Covered walkways will help to protect pedestrians from

the weather, and pathways currently concentrated on

the cold, south side of buildings will be redirected to

the north side.

The retail shops will get a makeover, with a higher, wider

roof, and glazing on both sides of the building to create

space, light and views right through to the lake when

people get off the bus.

The library will be transformed into a student-centred

facility. The building will be opened up internally and

to the views outside so that on entry it “makes a

statement” about being a “first-stop shop”. This will be

the first point of contact for all students new to the

campus.

“At the moment students arrive on campus and they

don’t know where to go. They get shunted around in all

directions and get frustrated and angry, which is not a

good start to their university education,” says Alec.

“We’ll never be able to answer every single query in this

building, but it will be the place where students go first

– it will become the campus centre.”

The redesigned library building will incorporate and

update the existing library, and include a café, north-

facing decks and wireless internet access in designated

areas.

In addition, the information commons, currently at level

one on the south side, will be relocated to a new eastern

wing on the building to provide more workstations,

study spaces and meeting rooms.

“Currently a lot of students head back to their flats

between lectures because there are very few social

spaces on campus. Our experience shows that if you

provide students with a nice place to work and ‘hang

out’, they stay all day and all night. It’s about creating a

social and learning hub right in the middle of campus.”

John Cameron, Director of Facilities Management, says

the University is very pleased with the drawings and

plans that have been developed to date, and which

have been presented to the Project Control Group and

members of the University Council.

“Warren and Mahoney has a lot of experience in libraries

in the tertiary sector and has responded well to the

challenges of the brief, as well as the constraints of the

site and budget. Work is now proceeding on the working

drawings and the documentation to enable work to

commence in 2008.”

The $29 million project is on track, with construction

on the shop area due to begin in January and the main

library building in June. >

Student ‘hub’ WILL be ‘FIRSt-StOP ShOP’

Competition to name the new buildingThe new development has been

loosely called the ‘Student Hub’ or

Student Centre until now. As the

project takes shape, we are looking

for a name for it, and would like

your suggestions.

Email your idea to Tony Dicks at tdicks@waikato.ac.nz by November 30 and be in to win a dinner voucher to the value of $200 at a restaurant of your choice.

We reserve the right not to award the prize if we do not receive a suitable name.

View of the new east wing to the new

UNICENTRAL Library/M Block approaching from Gate 5.

Introducing Waikato’s new student centre

Sehai Orgad, Student Union President, has given the thumbs up to the new student “hub” development.

The design, which combines new media and

physical resources in a high-tech information

commons with other learning and social spaces,

clearly reflects the overarching principles discussed

with various student groups around the campus,

she says.

“There’s lots of foliage, light and glass which

addresses environmental concerns. The design

also reflects Waikato’s unique identity – its Maori

distinctiveness and its place as a well-respected

institute the world over.”

The redevelopment of the library and surrounding

environment will provide students with places that

they can go to relax, says Sehai, enhancing both

their social and learning experiences at Waikato.

She congratulated members of the project control

team for keeping the design focused on meeting the

needs of students, the main group of stakeholders.

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge Tony

Dicks, John Cameron, Wendy Craig, Annette

McNicol and Aroha Yates-Smith, who are absolutely

passionate about designing something for students.

I’d also like to thank them and other members of

the group for steering the design through to this

stage.”

Sehai, who represents students on the Project

Control Group, says she has been able to have a

lot of input into the design and can’t wait to see it

come to fruition.

“I think if we are consistent with our goals, we will

have something that will be of benefit to everyone

in the wider community, not only students and

staff.”

Wendy Craig, Director of Student and Academic

Services and a member of the project group, is also

pleased with the design.

“It brings everything together in one place for

the convenience of students. They will be able to

go there for impartial and consistent advice. The

library will be more accessible to students and the

many eating places will create a great atmosphere

for students to socialise,” she says.

Wendy says the “hub” will be a focal point for

the campus, which will draw people together,

integrating the student experience in an enjoyable

environment. >

hub deSIgn FOcuSed On StudentS

Site plan showing Level 2 of the library

which will be opened up internally

View of the new southern façade/atrium space standing in front of S Block

Sketch of the shops area from the lakeside looking up towards the new UNICENTRAL Library/M Block.

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Architects’ BriefObjective: To develop a student-focused heart to the campus which will –

Integrate retail, food, leisure and learning activities

Become a one-stop shop precinct for students seeking information/advice on all

administrative matters

Provide a sophisticated knowledge/learning commons integrated with the library

that combines computer-based and book-based learning methods

Offer areas for relaxation and group activities

Generate a social heart to the campus

Express and validate our bicultural identity

Be a leader in Environmentally Sustainable Design

Create a direct, all-weather walkway from the library to the current retail area

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Design conceptsConnect at all levels literally and spatially. On a cultural and social level, these

connections celebrate “a journey” and the experience of the Maori world.

Develop landscaping that acknowledges the natural form of the Waikato region.

Create a transparent and woven “cloak” that in part embraces the existing library,

allowing light to filter in the interior of the building to “breathe”.

Reinforce the relationship with nature through the use of natural materials as an

integral part of the building fabric and spaces.

Layering of art to reinforce links with Tainui.

Provide a new physically, socially and culturally vibrant heart to the campus that

opens to the landscape, and built urban areas that actively encourage students

to stay on campus.

Enhance the journey through the campus by redeveloping the east-west spine.

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Building to pay tribute to bicultural heritage

View of the new eastern wing of the UNICENTRAL Library/M Block looking across from B Block

Reflecting the University’s bicultural heritage and our special relationship with Tainui forms an important part of the brief to the project architects.

Rewi Thompson, Maori cultural adviser to the project team, says the challenge

was to incorporate elements within the landscape and building design which

resonate with Maori but also have universal appeal.

“It is easy to use traditional elements within a marae setting, where the symbolism

is well understood, but this is not so simple in a public building visited by people

of many cultures.

“The secret is to take traditional design elements and incorporate them in such a

way that people can relate to them in different ways.”

The project team is currently considering a range of options to incorporate natural

elements such as water and stone, which have universal appeal and significance,

into natural terracing, planting and lighting of the south side of the site.

The building itself will be “wrapped” on the east side in stylised “tukutuku” panels

of aluminium, which draw on the design of traditional woven panels in a meeting

house, or a woven cloak, which confers both mana and protection from the

elements.

Also being considered is a large sculpture or “te kohao o te ngira”. This would

be a “needle” on the corner of the east-south entry of the library building, large

enough to allow everyone to be “threaded through the eye of the needle” when

entering the building.

Within the building, columns, symbolising “nga hau e wha” or people from the

four winds or corners of the earth, may be used to organise spaces.

Acknowledgement of the ownership of traditional symbols will be reflected in the

use of traditional design such as “nihoniho” and “he piko he taniwha”, as well as

Pasifika designs, as repetitive motifs throughout the building.

Tikanga or customary practice will be reflected in areas set aside for powhiri

(formal greetings) or for housing taonga (cultural treasures). A water feature is

being considered as part of the entry to the building.

The east wing extension will be progressive in design and symbolic of change,

providing an opportunity to celebrate and look forward. The library will house the

New Zealand and Pei te Hurinui Jones Literary Collections, strongly acknowledging

the indigenous and exotic cultures and heritage. >

A T A GlAncE. . .

For further information, please contact:

Tony Dicks

Group Manager: Facilities Tel: 07 838 4091

Facilities Management Division Email: tdicks@waikato.ac.nz

Leading-edge Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) has been incorporated into the design of the new refurbished library building by the design team, led by Warren and Mahoney Principal, Alec Couchman, working closely with local Hamilton firm, Maunsell/Aecom.

ESD is more than just making buildings use less energy and thereby

reducing their so-called carbon footprint. It is about making the

built environment healthier and safer as well as demonstrating

how buildings can be self-sufficient.

A key part of ESD is to ensure buildings are economically,

environmentally, culturally and socially sustainable. The University

is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and thereby leading

all tertiary institutions in ESD.

To achieve this, just some of the ESD issues targeted by the Warren

and Mahoney–Maunsell design team include:

Low energy use

Non-PVC materials throughout

Materials with low or zero volatile organic compounds

Low energy light fittings

High levels of natural daylight wherever possible

Double glazing and extensive sun screens to reduce glare

Balconies and study spaces with views out to the north, east

and west

All rainwater collected from roof, stored on site and recycled

through the WCs and irrigation

Re-use of existing structure, services and plumbing fittings

All new plumbing fittings to be low-water use.

Use of timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

Materials such as carpets and ceiling tiles and furniture to have

maximum recycled content

Low maintenance materials such as glass, aluminium and rough

cast concrete

Improved disabled access across the site, and within the

buildings

Improved outdoor spaces with extensive new planting and

gardens

Photovoltaic array on the roof generating energy for the

building

New vertical wind turbine generating energy for the building

Energy generating lifts connecting to energy grid supply.

The new Unicentral building design will be independently rated by

the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) with the aim

of achieving a 5-star rating. If successful, this 5 Green Star rating

will be a first for an education building in New Zealand. >

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EnVIROnMEnTAl InnOVATIOnS KEY TO DESIGn

Above and below: The new design will include double glazing,a sun control screen

and a glazed curtain wall for maximum natural lighting.

Plan showing more detail of how Level 2 will be opened up to serve as a student service hub