Marian College

Award Winning Marian College

Overview 

The new Marian College is an innovative architectural project created for a Catholic girls' school that had been destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.

With sustainability at the forefront of the project, a former Foodstuffs warehouse was used to rebuild the structure. From the outset, it was essential to retain the original structure to align with cost, design, and environmental priorities.

This transformation of a warehouse into a modern educational facility required a careful balance between preservation and innovation. 

Our Involvement 

With limited external space, the architects created floors and rooms within the existing warehouse, utilising a distinctive structural timber known as Potius beams, which required a Group 1S Surface Rating. These beams were intentionally left exposed, showcasing the natural material and supporting the school’s emphasis on sustainability.

Fireshield® TimberClear was selected to achieve the necessary fire protection while preserving the timber’s natural appearance.

Using thin film technology to achieve a quality clear finish and with zero halogens, this coating was the best solution to align with the project’s demands. 

Due to the intense cold winter conditions in Christchurch, our team worked closely with The Connect Group, the applicators, to ensure the coating was applied effectively. We recommended heated line on the spray pumps and dehumidifiers to facilitate the application in the challenging temperatures.

Despite the lower temperatures, the applicator team successfully applied the coating, with the rest of the project wrapping up in 2023. 

Outcome 

The result is a vibrant, educational space that combines innovative design with practical functionality. The school’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is reflected in its architectural choices, from repurposing existing structures to incorporating prefabricated timber elements.

Marian College is now fully operational and has been selected as a winner at the 2024 Canterbury Architecture Award. 

The team at Fireshield is proud to have been part of this innovative project, and for contributing to the enhancement of educational spaces in New Zealand.