John McGlashan Learning Centre

Dunedin

John McGlashan recognised that, with new technology providing new learning opportunities, there was a need to carefully consider the brief for a proposed new library development.  From this perspective, the decision was made to construct a new library and learning centre to meet current and future needs.

The choice was made to refurbish an under utilised former Boarding House into a new Learning Centre to accommodate the library and teaching facilities.

Octa assisted the school from the start.  This included the development of the brief that was used to manage the designer selection and subsequent design process.

One consideration was the special nature of the school and rather than demolish the existing building, it was decided to retain as much as possible.  The result is a building that retains the street and campus facades, however inside is a modern, technology enabled library and learning facility.

Octa provided overall project management, detailed construction programming, monitoring & reporting role to successfully deliver this significant project that was completed in readiness for the 2008 academic year.  Close management of the budget has also enabled the project to be completed within the overall budget expectations.  This project progressed so well that the school was able to include significant additional landscaping to an adjacent area.