Over the past several years, three stages of modular classroom construction have been completed at Wharenui School. A fourth stage was recently handed over to the school and a fifth stage is under construction. Children have been in Yaldhurst School’s beautiful new modular classroom block for almost a year.
WSP principal architect Duncan Bright says modular designs like these are an example of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), where components can be manufactured off-site, then transported to site for assembly. While Wharenui and Yaldhurst Schools’ new classrooms weren’t constructed off-site in this way, the modular design allows for it.
Off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly are being used in several projects here and overseas, including the Scott Base redevelopment. It gives a range of benefits, including time efficiency, cost savings, quality control, and less disruption.
Quick delivery is a major benefit, says Duncan. Because modular parts are designed to be transported on a truck, they can be brought in and assembled in weeks. And for a standard sized modular classroom block, getting a building consent document approved takes a fraction of the time of a customised design.
WSP’s modular classroom design was borne out of the response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes where there was a need to quickly provide replacement classroom blocks that had been damaged or destroyed.
Since then, the design has evolved and is now proving its worth for replacing leaky classroom blocks or for when schools need more classrooms due to roll growth.
To-date, over 100 of the modular-designed classrooms have been provided to state and state integrated schools around Christchurch City, South Canterbury and Westland. The design is currently being used for the Catholic Diocese in Hokitika for a classroom block that needs replacing. In that project, modules are being prefabricated in a Greymouth factory.
The modular classroom blocks are designed to the highest building specifications and can be used anywhere in the country with no concerns about their performance in local climatic conditions.
Duncan says the design has been refined over time. The original design sat on timber piles but can now also be installed on a concrete slab. A suite of options has been developed that address the different needs of schools, including acoustic, lighting, and ground condition requirements.
“In developing this design we've taken on feedback from schools, who sing the praises of these classrooms. The upshot is high quality school buildings that can be delivered faster and at a lower cost than with traditional construction methods - exactly what the schools want.”
