Stephenson & Turner, in collaboration with Wairarapa College and the Ministry of Education, has successfully delivered the Food Technology (Foodtech) Hub, continuing our role as Lead Design Consultant following the completion of the Whare Āwhina Supported Learning Centre. This modern facility enhances the school's educational architecture design, integrating sustainable building performance solutions, innovative engineering, and specialist lighting design to create a dynamic learning environment.
The 700m² Foodtech Hub houses a fully equipped commercial kitchen, two food technology learning spaces, two flexible general learning areas, and supporting staff, storage, and amenity spaces. The design carefully respects the adjacent 1938 heritage Sutherland Block, creating a planted courtyard that preserves natural daylighting and supports cross-ventilation strategies. By maintaining structural separation, the project optimised construction efficiency while providing a seamless architectural transition.
A key feature of the new hub is its biophilic design elements, including internal timber finishes and bi-folding doors that open into the courtyard, providing an indoor-outdoor learning experience. The canteen, positioned at a high-traffic circulation point, acts as a central gathering space for students and the broader school community.
The exterior design juxtaposes the historic red brick façade with a contemporary Flaxpod Colorsteel Eurostyle Spanlok warm roof and wall system. This minimalist, dark metal cladding enhances thermal efficiency, while carefully placed windows maximise natural light and frame key views. The glazing details were meticulously aligned with the cladding module, delivering an elegant and cohesive façade.
The material palette mirrors Whare Āwhina, reinforcing a strong sense of identity within the school's architectural master plan. The fully glazed links, under construction as part of the Sutherland Block’s seismic upgrade, will further integrate the Foodtech Hub into the school's built environment while maintaining structural independence.
This project provides Wairarapa College with a fully integrated Level 3 Hospitality teaching facility, enhancing learning environments through energy-efficient architecture, precision engineering, and strategic lighting design, providing a future-proofed, high-performance educational space.
