Villa Maria College

Following the Canterbury earthquakes, RMM collaborated with Villa Maria College, Maguire and Harford Architects, and Rubix to develop a landscape strategy and landscape master plan for the College. Building on the Maguire and Harford Architects Campus Development Plan the landscape strategy identified key underlying components of the College ethos, embracing these to develop a vision for future development.

The vision is for Villa Maria’s campus to be a unique and attractive environment, honouring its heritage and supporting its core values; Education, Respect and Concern for others. Social and learning opportunities will be provided in an engaging and soft setting, embracing the whole school learning community.

Options to enhance the sites biodiversity, courtyard environs, stormwater management and long-term maintenance were considered essential to the development of a landscape that is attractive, meaningful, and sustainably responsive.

Integral to the master plan was pedestrian prioritisation, and the improvement of pedestrian connections through the College. Flexible spaces, able to host outdoor school assemblies and events, while also comfortable for small groups or individuals undertaking schoolwork, are a feature of the landscape strategy. The landscape development plan and strategy provided a cohesive connection between facilities and outdoor spaces to ‘enhance the College environment’ improving the staff, student, and visitor experience. Flexibility was built into the landscape strategy, enabling initial projects to be built while acknowledging the spatial requirements of future development.

First up projects that have now been completed, include the Peer Street entrance and Brodie carparks, the McAuley Lawn, the Kia Toa Building and the award-winning Te Manawa Atawhai - Catherine McAuley Centre with Hamish Shaw Architect. RMM was actively involved in these projects.