Standard designs for school buildings and layouts

Standard designs are a set of pre-approved designs for buildings, classroom layouts and agreed building materials. They include new teaching, administration, gyms, halls and library spaces that will work for most schools and kura in New Zealand.

Architects, engineers and educators helped us develop these designs, which reflect best practice and real-world experience and support student learning. Together, we have created standard designs that:

• meet New Zealand building requirements
• make sense for most schools
• can be tailored to schools’ identities, site features, and students.

Standard does not mean doing everything the same. With our standard design options, schools have a range of choices, so the finished project works for your site, your students, and your way of working. They also allow choices that reflect your school’s identity, kaupapa and community.

Schools can for example choose:

• how spaces are arranged (layouts)
• materials and cladding
• some services and connections
• colours and finishes.

We will be updating this page with more information about standard building types in future.

This will include information about:

• single-depth buildings (known as Type ‘S’ buildings)
• double-depth buildings (Type ‘D’ buildings)
• halls (Type ‘H’ buildings) – including whare wānanga
• gyms (Type ‘G’ buildings) – including whare hākinakina
• kura Māori buildings (these have a ‘K’ designation when specific to kura).

We will be updating this page with more information about standard layouts for primary and intermediate schools, kura and secondary schools in future.

This will include information about:

• teaching space layouts
• gyms and halls (including whare hākinakina and whare wānanga)
• libraries
• administration
• learning support spaces.

Using standard designs means the important design work has been done so projects can move from planning to construction more quickly, and students are able to learn in a well-designed, well-maintained classroom.

Critical parts of the design, like structural systems, roofs, acoustic design, ceiling heights and windows, are fixed.  But there is flexibility for schools to choose features like cladding, colours, finishes, interior layouts and some services and connections.

Standardising school designs:

• improves efficiency, consistency and scalability
• reduces design and construction costs
• supports faster delivery timelines and reduces disruption
• delivers improved, fit-for-purpose designs
• promotes sustainable practices and materials
• saves money on repairs
• gives schools choices over features that reflect their learning needs and identity
• makes it easier to change things if schools need something different later on.

We’ll work with you throughout the planning and delivery of new standard designs. During the planning phase, we work with you to understand your needs, site, and options. You’ll then be able to choose building types, layout options and finishing touches.

Throughout the process, you can expect:

• a clearer process from planning to handover
• open and clear communication from us at every stage
• layout options that we know work well.

We're continuing to improve standard designs based on what we hear from schools, builders, and designers.

If you have questions about standardising school buildings and layouts and how it relates to your school, email us at property.improvement@schoolproperty.govt.nz, or contact your school property advisor or project team.