Focus | BLENNZ Homai Campus
Creating a better sensory environment The Homai College for the Blind was an example of cutting-edge design when it was purpose built in 1965 for educating blind learners. It is an achievement the school has maintained with the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) Homai Campus replaced the former buildings in 2011; a $14.9m development described as a “world-leading example” by architect John Sofo.
The new outdoor facility was the result of the goodwill of the Northern Division Freemasons
and the Potter Trust – two worthy charitable foundations which sought to assist the school with the development of an outdoor environment which would support the school’s students. Designed by experienced landscape architect Jill Rice, it is a space for building independence while their health and wellbeing is protected and nurtured and a space where they can explore, experience, socialise and be challenged. “In designing an outdoor learning space for children who are blind and have low vision, my expectations were that the school would simply want to create a sensory rich environment,” landscape designer Jill Rice explains. “But more importantly they wanted a space where these children could experience everything all other children get to experience, but in a supportive environment. While the sensory aspect was an important feature, it was only one part of what was required.”
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Amandeep Singh (left) at compass with a member of the Freemasons
Jill worked closely alongside school staff to create an environment which would also support the development of key competencies within the New Zealand Curriculum. “Often with visually impaired children they lose the confidence to be active because they’re not aware of space,” she says.
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Charlie Gordon-Stables being held by Linda Flavell (Homai Early Childhood Centre senior teacher) as Jack Schwenke (centre) cuts the ribbon with Paul Gibson
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As the school, which provides educational services for children and young people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, celebrates 50 years of blindness education on the BLENNZ Homai Campus, it celebrates the opening of a learning space of a more physical kind.
“A key part of the brief was to enable them to develop the confidence to become physically active and a big part of that was to provide nonvisual cues so they could find their way around. “The skills they develop in this space can then be utilised to help them navigate space in the public arena.” Non-visual cues such as changing textures on pathways leading to different destinations enable visually impaired students to navigate a large space with confidence. “It was a steep learning curve,” Jill says. “I really had to put myself in the students’ shoes and imagine what it would be like to make my way around such a massive space with no vision and incorporate aspects which would make them feel secure and confident. The skilled BLENNZ staff were extremely helpful and it was a real collaborative effort.” BLENNZ senior manager school and residential services, Barbara Whitley says that after the school’s 2011 rebuild, they were left with a large two hectare expanse of land, with little access for students. “We started working with the design team about three years ago,” Barbara explains. “The importance of this space is that it extends right across the curriculum. All the elements can be used to build skills which the students will take beyond that environment and out into the community. “What we’re seeing is everything we wanted it to be – collaborative, interactive play that provides
those students with opportunities to learn. It has exceeded our expectations.” BLENNZ principal Karen Stobbs says the students took to the new space immediately. “We had a similar experience when the school was built. By their second visit students were independently navigating the space which speaks of the excellent design. “A space like this makes independence so much more accessible for all young people and adults and that’s our core aim.” The project was made possible by Wal and his wife Vicky Vendt from Gardens with Attitude. “They were amazing, they totally understood what we wanted and were able to feed ideas and details,” Jill says. “A key factor in the project’s success was the financial backing from the Northern Division Freemasons and in particular Potter Trust. Brian Crone came to just about every meeting, taking a huge amount of interest in the project’s successful completion.” Additional elements in Stage 2 will be completed as funds are raised. AT
BLENNZ Homai Campus 2 Mcvilly Road Manurewa Auckland T (09) 266 7109 blennzonline.edublogs.org
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Landscape Architect P. 03 5394500 E. info@dfequipment.co.nz www.outdoorfitnessequipment.co.nz
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M. 021 182 5002 E. jill@getoutside.co.nz www.getoutside.co.nz