Katikati College
Significant new facilities were required for both recreation and performing arts at Katikati College. To minimise compromises, an early decision was made to develop each separately. Both facilities are sited near the street with direct public access after school hours.
Community funding and commercial sponsorship were sought for the recreation facility (featuring a large gymnasium, and a smaller gymnasium that is also used for dance) but not for the arts facilities. Public use of both facilities is encouraged but never impinges on timetabled drama and music classes. Low rental charges acknowledge the community support, and encourage involvement with the school.
Control box.The performing arts facility was built around the refurbished school hall. The main changes were:
- hall stage was removed
- a control box installed at one end
- modular movable staging purchased
- lighting bars erected
- three-phase power installed
- sound and data cabling installed.
There are drama and music rooms on either side of a wide corridor that leads to the hall.
Drama room.The drama room has high narrow windows on one wall only, which are readily blacked out. Furniture consists of stackable chairs and folding tables (strong enough to be used in drama settings) so the room can be a classroom or an empty space. Double doors open directly into the hall, making it simple to use the hall for breakout groups and small performances (using screens to divide off a section of the hall).
The small storage room at one end of the drama room has a window to the main space as it doubles as a student study area. The teacher's office opens onto the corridor and the storage room (but not the main teaching space).
Lighting rig.
Drama storeroom.A feature of the structure is the mezzanine floor behind the hall control box that is designed for drama storage. The mezzanine floor is lower than the drama room ceiling, and the designers have made clever use of this to enable safe erection of simple lighting for the drama room. Narrow openings were left in the wall just above the storeroom floor and a bar fitted above to mount the lights on.
The facility is fully air conditioned.
For more information, contact Katikati College.