Bear Park Early Childcare Centre, Hobsonville Point

Project Info

This project involved the design of a standalone contemporary extension to a childcare centre housed in a Category B scheduled Georgian Revival building at Hobsonville Point. DPA Architects were commissioned to design the new addition having already been involved in the restoration and conversion of the 1930s Mill House, a much-loved landmark within the Hobsonville Point area. The contemporary building sits within the parklike grounds of the heritage house and next to the popular Te Ara Manawa coastal walkway. The surrounding context for the building is residential and includes a mix of single and multi-level housing. The project was the recipient of a 2024 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Award for Education and a Gold Award for Education at the 2024 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards.

The clearly articulated contemporary form takes cues from the heritage building’s aeronautical connections – the double wing roof form is a reference to the house being built by aerial photography pioneers Doug and Audrey Mills and later serving as accommodation for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. By adopted a contrasting language for the new childcare building, the character of the two-storey heritage house has retained its visual clarity. The building’s transparency provides an intimate connection to its heritage neighbour as well as maintaining sightlines for teachers.

Shaded by a massive Liquidambar tree, the pavilion-style building nestles comfortably into its garden setting, with a restrained palette of materials – steel, timber and glass – sympathetic to the heritage context and appropriate to its role.

Photography: Simon Wilson