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A welcoming space for students to love.

Imagine designing a new learning space where students don't want to leave. Okaihau College has achieved the ultimate aim with their new open and multi-functional learning environments.

Formal ICT work spaces are found on the perimeter of the learning environment.

The school has created a place so welcoming, students don't want to leave. With three large rooms separated by floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, the individual spaces can all be opened up to allow for a larger open area - perfect for training, seminars or presentations. After seeing smaller breakout spaces in his travels, Principal Alan Forgie was convinced the large breakout space would work better in his school - and it has proved to be a success.


“we have made this area as open as possible to encourage students to come in and use the space.”

Alan Forgie – Principal at Okaihau College


Soft seating amongst the bookshelves provides reading nooks in the library.

A bright and airy library takes up close to half of the area and is furnished with soft, flexible seating and tables placed amongst the bookshelves. The other half can be divided into two smaller spaces to cater for ICT and as a fully functioning classroom. With plenty of furniture options at different heights to choose from, learners can always find a seat to suit their task.

Red colour pops with Bodyfurn Sled Chairs and Coaster tables sit well with neutral Best Maple.

When it came to furnishing the spaces, Alan knew exactly what he wanted, "Furnware had the products we required – modular, flexible furniture that could be moved around the spaces depending on the activity.”  Students were involved in the colour design, choosing a primary colour palette for accents complemented by neutral table tops. Everyone agrees, the end result has delivered the look and feel the school wanted. “Most importantly”, says Alan, “the school has created a space that students want to be in", and you can't ask for more than that. 

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