Because this is a design ideas competition--not a school design competition--we have no specific guidelines for the design ideas competition. It is research-based and we're relying on your ideas for where you think would be a great new site for Unlimited school (and Discovery school, should you wish to include them as well, it is a good idea but not necessary), whether they move back to the old site on Cashel Street, etc. As long as your design proposal addresses the question: What would Christchurch look like if education was the centre of its future? they can be as abstract or as specific as you would like! We're looking forward to receiving your entry.

Getting to know Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti

This FAQ section has been provided to shed some insight into how Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti operates, and would help you in getting some ideas about how a 21st century learning approach could inspire the rebuilding process. At Unlimited, there are no classrooms, no spatial separation between spaces used by teachers and students. In fact, there are no teachers at Unlimited: skilled adult advisors participate in the learning process of savvy, high-school-aged self-learners (between ages 12 - 18) as Unlimited Learning Advisors, to give guidance and encourage creative ways for these motivated youth to engage with wider community. Unlimited was established shortly after Discovery, a primary-school (ages 5 - 12) equivalent learning environment founded by visionary local community leader Vicky Buck: the first woman mayor of New Zealand. The kids who graduate from both Discovery and Unlimited, essentially live their entire lives never having experienced what a 'school' is. They are modern day equivalent of children 'raised by a village'. Imagine that!

Previous site on Cashel Street

Floor plans of the former site for the school has been provided for your reference here:
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/sites/default/files/active/33/NT%20Pl...
They were housed in the Southern Star House building at 158 Cashel Street, right next to the (then) Bus Exchange, and had shared their space with White Elephant Trust, the second largest youth community organisation in Christchurch. On the day after the earthquake, the school had planned on launching "Campus Unlimited", to incorporate extensive community initiatives such as adult learning and youth health facilities to make even better use of their spaces and to provide service to wider community.

General Questions and Response by Learning Advisors

• Q: Where was the original school? A: They were in 3 locations: 1) Old building Southern Star House (old DIC department store) Cashel Mall, 2) New Building Northern Tower (above Hallensteins) corner of Cashel and High, 3) Basement - below food court close to corner of Cashel and Colombo. (NB: Discovery is the primary school equivalent of Unlimited, which used to share their space with Unlimited prior to earthquake. More information about Discovery can be found here: http://www.discovery.school.nz/ It is up to the designers to decide whether Discovery is factored into the design entry)

• Q: What are the major subject areas that require specified spaces? A: Music, Drama, Science, Hospitality, Aspire (Gym), Art, Quiet study, Recreational
• Q: What subject areas would you like to have as separate hubs? A: I wouldn't like to see any separate areas at specific hubs, by this I mean that I personally would like to see access available at all sites. I know this is probably unrealistic but I worry that if we divide ourselves by learning areas we loose a sense of community and any possibilities for integrated/holistic learning. I guess, in a practical sense, this would mean that we have a main campus with necessary areas available with hubs providing spaces for more generic or integrated learning. I may be offside with the 'official' thinking here btw.
• Q: Is there an approximate requirement of size floor area you are after? Can you give some indication of size in regards to certain subject occupation (either in terms of sq meters or people)? A: A variety of learning spaces (or flexible/transformable spaces) from small groups of 5-10 to larger spaces for up to 50-60. (NB: UPT enrollment prior to earthquake was 650, now it has been reduced to 350 due to relocation and families moving away.)
• Q: What was the most occupied space in the previous building and why was it so successful? A: Community space (non-class room specific space) for independent/collaborative learning. It is a focus of our school to support learning outside the classroom, it is therefor NOT expected that students will always be learning in a class room environment/setting.
• Q: Is the cafeteria an area you would like to share with the general public? A: I would envision a separate student operated cafe open to the public but not a shared space for outside community and students (I think there would be a real safety issue with this). Also it should be noted that we have no cafeteria space, community spaces traditionally have been used for eating.
• Q: What are your thoughts on hubs that a temporary that can be built and dismantled in accordance to demand? A: Fundamental to this would be the functionality of these spaces, eg if they worked, then fine. Aesthetically it would be important that they not seem flimsy, cheap or cramped.

Reflective questions
What did you like about the old school? (0:00)
What was the most memorable place there? (2:45)
How do you feel about the school being moved outside of city centre? (4:08)
How does everyone have access to laptops, and how important is this to your learning? (5:20)

Aspirational questions
What were some of the challenges/what was missing in the old school site?
Can you describe the type of spaces that could improve learning?

Learning Advisor Perspective
We've heard from the kids, so let's hear from the grown-ups!

Watch more videos about Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti on afhauckland's YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/afhauckland

If you have more questions that haven't already been answered in these videos, just e-mail us at admin@afh-auckland.org