Rangiora High School Whare | Te Ao Mārama Cultural Learning

The opening of Rangiora High School’s new whare, Te Ao Mārama, represented a significant milestone for both the school and its community. Fully funded by the Board of Trustees and designed by Stufkens + Chambers Architects, this cultural learning centre, which cost $1.8 million, was completed after a nine-month construction period and was officially opened with a pōwhiri.

The name, Te Ao Mārama, which means the world of enlightenment, was gifted to the school by Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga. The whare is intended to be a welcoming, multi-functional space for students, staff and the wider community.

Te Ao Mārama’s design is described as “simple yet beautiful,” with a focus on both form and function. The colour palette features warm timber, greens that vary from soft sage to deeper forest tones and a neutral grey. The building is versatile, when serving as a classroom it accommodates 30 desks, or it can provide a performance space for up to 100 people, seated dining for 40 or sleeping facilities for 20.

Jacobsen contributed to the whare’s design by providing Shaw Contract’s Accent Carpet tiles in Peridot green and Pacific in Waimea Granite for the main spaces. In restrooms and wet areas, Tarkett iQ Granit and Granit Safe.T wall and floor vinyl in Light Green provides the necessary slip resistance, along with superior wear, stain and abrasion resistance. The green tones not only harmonise with the overall design aesthetic but also contribute to the educational objectives of the space – the colour choices are beneficial in study spaces, creating a balanced environment that promotes calm and aids concentration and information retention. The selection of cooler, subtle hues aligns with the psychological needs of intermediate and high school students, who typically prefer sophisticated palettes over bright primary colours.

The new whare at Rangiora High School embodies a blend of cultural significance, design functionality and thoughtful material choices. Jacobsen’s flooring solutions played a key role in enhancing the whare’s atmosphere, contributing to a versatile and welcoming environment that supports both cultural and educational activities.