Wintec Rotokauri campus set for major revamp

Wintec's student hub and its surrounds at the Rotokauri campus in north Hamilton are set to undergo a $3.6m redevelopment providing larger, more vibrant, flexible and user-friendly spaces for students.

The hub will be extended and reconfigured to house new "activity zones" to allow for private and collaborative study areas, as well as social and recreational spaces. Outside, a landscaped quad will be developed and the current student pedestrian street extended to allow for an outdoor space designed for social, recreational and study activities.

Wintec's director of infrastructure and assets, Graeme Ward says the new and improved hub and its surrounds will become the "true heart of the campus".

"The hub will be a one-stop shop for students, where they'll have more choices on the types of spaces they can use for learning and interacting.

"It'll house specialist support services like student learning, youth pathways, Maori and Pasifika support, and our enquiries desk, plus access to computers and library resources. There'll also be quiet spaces and collaborative areas for group work with mounted screens, recreational and social areas with bring-your-own-device facilities right across the building. Outdoor spaces will be made up of recreational areas including a volleyball court and a basketball hoop.

"The opening of the engineering and trades facility at Rotokauri campus in 2014 along with increased student numbers and changing student expectations has meant the demand for student social and study spaces has grown since the hub was first opened in 2010.

Ward added, "the redevelopment will provide areas that meets this demand and supports student activity all while improving orientation and cohesion with the rest of the campus."

The project is currently in the design phase, with construction due to begin in April. It is expected to be completed in November this year. It went through an extensive student consultation process in 2015.

The project contract was awarded to Hawkins Construction Ltd after a Wintec tender process last year. Hawkins will work with consultants MOAA Architects, Micon Engineering, Chester Consultants, PCD Fire Design, Mace Contractors and Design Acoustics on the redevelopment. 

Hawkins Construction Central Regional Manager, Peter McCawe, says one of the key aspects surrounding the design will be to ensure that the internal space of the existing hub is better utilised along with engaging the outside space more effectively. 

"The external links to the other campus buildings is an essential part of the hub and we look forward to the outside area coming to life on completion of the project."