Onehunga Primary School

The first step in a long-term masterplan to redevelop the campus

An anchor for the community

Nestled on the lower slopes of Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill, Onehunga Primary School’s new vertical teaching and learning building is the first step in a comprehensive masterplan to redevelop the existing campus.

With a history dating back to 1876, the school has long been an anchor for the local community. Creating a strategic vision for future development involved balancing a constrained site whilst accommodating rapid growth in the school’s catchment. Focusing on connection to the community, protecting and enhancing outdoor play space, and supporting an adaptable pedagogical approach, the resulting masterplan offers a strategic vision for future development.

The first stage of the masterplan delivers on this vision, with a four-storey building that includes 10 replacement teaching spaces and five additional spaces to accommodate roll growth. These represent a modal shift from traditional cellular classrooms with integrated, collaborative learning communities that foster strong connections to outdoor learning opportunities. Serving as the school’s new front entrance, the building provides a renewed civic presence, while also housing reception and administration spaces.

Creating a vision for the future

The location, orientation, and distribution of existing buildings on the sloping site presented challenges in navigation and accessibility. The masterplan addresses these issues by consolidating all school activities and will ultimately result in a more connected, cohesive learning campus.

Optimising space and increasing density were primary design drivers to meet growth targets, while considering the site’s compact size and the importance of maintaining green space. The resulting masterplan includes a sheltered terraced courtyard enclosed by the original school building and an L‑shaped, multi-level building that adapts to the topography. The courtyard connects to the existing tree-lined sports field on its eastern side. This first stage will be the connector for the future build.

With three levels of learning communities over an undercroft carpark, this building is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s tallest primary schools. The efficient footprint preserves valuable outdoor areas for recreation and enriching learning opportunities.