The Excellence in Educational Facilities Awards, run by Learning Environments Australasia, has honoured two New Zealand schools in it’s 2019 programme.

The Cathedral Grammar Junior School in Christchurch by Andrew Barrie Lab and Tezuka Architects won in the New Construction/New Individual Facility(ies) Under AU$8 Million category. In Auckland, Freemans Bay School by RTA Studio earned a commendation in the New Construction / New Individual Facility Over AU$8 Million category.

The jury said the Cathedral Grammar Junior School was an “outstanding building”. They continued, “The extensive use of timber and the exposed comprehensively detailed structure of the building give it material warmth and create opportunities for children to learn about the mechanics of the building. The outcome is a truly beautiful aesthetic with multiple layers of education planning for the wellbeing of present and future users.”

The jury loved the Freemans Bay School for its “extensive user-group consultation” and said, “It is evident that the desired outcome of a highly progressive learning environment is delivered through the large variety of learning spaces that cater for diverse learner needs.”

Learning Environments Australasia (LEA) advocates for quality and innovation in learning environments to enhance student outcomes. The LEA 20th Annual Conference comes to Christchurch from 13-15 May 2020.