b'gold standardOne of the projects special featureswhich was also one of its challengesis the colourful John Holmwood surrealist artwork in the central interior common space of the main building. This painting was originally a mural painted directly onto an internal plasterboard lined wall of one of the old KDEC buildings that needed to be demolished to make way for the new buildings. In order to salvage the artwork, a new structural steel frame was fixed to the back of the existing timber framed wall and then the steel frame, timber wall, plasterboard canvas and mural were all able to be successfully moved together to a new location to become a dramatic focal point in new building, says Matt.After the Hawkins construction team removed it from the wall, it was transported to Mt Wellington where it was stored for a year before it was returned to the site. New walls were then constructed around the repositioned artwork to frame the work and conceal the extra structure required to successfully salvage it, and then the new surrounds of the artwork were painted Resene Alabaster to complement and highlight the colourful abstract art.When the school asked us if we could save it, we were able to design up quite a sturdy steel frame, cut it out of the wall and crane the painting out of the roof, says AJ Spicer, Construction Manager for Hawkins. We braced up the whole wall, and above left: Resene Alabaster was used throughout most of the interioradditionalmemoriesandartifactsfromtheoriginalbuildings,wereincorporatedthroughoutthebuildings.Whilethemainwhen the time was right for it to come back, we forklifted it into position. It was really of the main building, including on the surround of the colourful Johnbecause they just held so much importance. purpose for the acoustic material is to absorb reverberations, itwell preserved and it looked brilliant where it was reinstated, especially when it was Holmwood surrealist artworka mural titled Holiday by the Seathat wasThe internal layout of the new main building integrates all thealso doubles as a pinboard and works with Velcro so that staff canframed up properlyit just looked great. Its a really good quality work of art, and salvaged from one of the original campus buildings. teaching, training and assessment functions of the facility andhang up information or student work. someone wouldnt even need to know who the artist was to know it was a great piece.above centre and right: A neutral colour palette was used to reduce visualprovidestheinterconnectednessthecampuswaspreviouslyThe new buildings also feature internal landscaped courtyards,Thoughtful and well considered, KDEC as it stands today has been built for, and noise within the space. The walls, trims and ceiling of the main building are inlacking. It has refined the way teaching and training is carried out.andtheinteriorcolourschemewasdesignedtobringthewith, the needs of its users at the forefront of the design and is sure to be embraced Resene Alabaster, the doors are in Resene Concrete while warmer ReseneThe open plan layout means teachers and students are more visible,landscaping of these interior outlooks into the building as much asjust as emotionally as what proceeded itwhile also paying it proper homage.Rice Cake was used throughout the accommodation building. Select coloursand areas can be easily reconfigured if required, explains Matt. possible. Resene Alabaster was used for the interior walls, ceilingsFor us, working for the Deaf community to provide this new facility made the have been brought in through acoustic material, as well as some of theThe concept of DeafSpace informed a lot of the planning andand trims in the main building teamed with Resene Rice Cake,KDEC campus really one-of-a-kind. It was one of those unique projects where you seating. To create this colour combination in a paint finish, try Resene Koruknow youll probably never get to do anything like that again in your career, says AJ. and Resene Space Cadet. design of the spaces. Vision and touch are the primary meanswhich was used for the interior of the accommodation space, andThe specialised aspects of the design made the project quite unique for us, too, and of spatial awareness and orientation for most Deaf and hearingResene Concrete, which was used for the interior doors. getting to see how educational services are provided for the Deaf community and all ReseneReseneReseneimpaired people. Many also use visual-kinetic sign language asThe neutrality of the colour selections was also important for Concrete Koru Space Cadet their primary means of communication. With this project, it was aincreasing communication. As Matt points out, when people arethe design considerations that made it work just made it so special to our team. privilege to create built environments specifically tailored for thesigning, they need a clean visual background because it can be unique requirements and sensibilities of the Deaf community.quite distracting if there are other things competing. above right: At night, sconces illuminate and reflect make way for one of the new buildings. When we arrived on siteEveryday built environments can present surprising challengesWhen it came down to the paint choice, Resene Lumbersider,off of the Resene Bullseye entrance surround. Window one day, we found it covered in personal messages requesting itto Deaf people. When youre Deaf, you cant hear somebodyResene Lustacryl, Resene Zylone Sheen, Resene X-200 andsurrounds in Resene Bullseye and main cladding in be saved that let us know how important it was to everyone, so wecoming when youre approaching a corner, so we had to takeResene Uracryl were used throughout the project and chosenResene Alabaster. Resene Resenefound a way to keep it. that into account in our design. Its probably not something thatsfor their quality of finish, long term technical performance andAlabaster BullseyeInside, we included a museum room that recreates one ofoften considered but it was especially important for this project.environmental benefits. below right: Matt says the original building footprints were used as a generator for some of the lines in the original KDEC hostel dormitory spaces and includes originalOtheracousticissueswereimportanttoconsiderintheIn addition to meeting the needs of the users, the projectthe landscaping, which is especially evident in the 1960s furniture that was used to furnish these rooms. This roomdesign. The building was not only designed for the Deaf, butwas also designed to achieve a Green Star 5 Star Built rating, andcourtyards. Walls in Resene Alabaster.also displays other historic Deaf community memorabilia such asalso for those with other varying degrees of hearing impairment,specification of Resene applied coatings contributed to achievingdesign ASC Architects, www.ascarchitects.co.nz Resenebooks, records, furniture and photographs, as well as educational,includingsomewhouseassistivehearingdevices.Formanythis,saysMatt.Resenewasalsopreferredbecauseofthebuild and paint Hawkins, www.hawkins.co.nz Rice Caketechnical,communicationandmedicalartifacts.Additionalindividuals who rely on these devices, background noise can behelpful assistance of their representatives with colour matchingproject management MPM Projects, www.mpm.co.nzdisplaycasesalsofeaturethroughoutthehallwaystodisplayarealproblem.Toreducereverberation,acousticwallliningspaint finishes to other coloured finishes. images Michael Ng, www.ngfoto.com36 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 37'