The three-storey facility includes 19 classrooms/labs, a wellness centre and staffroom, and takes inspiration in both its form and colour palette from the local environment and the Dominican Order.

"The forms in the interior design drew inspiration from triangles found in the holy trinity, the Dominican cross, and in nature," says project architect Rasha Al Assafi from Ministry of Architecture + Interiors. "We wanted the building to tell a story and have a connection back to nature, and we looked to the nearby Waitakere Ranges for inspiration."

"We found it in the native kauri tree that stands strong as the overseer of the forest — the ground level is the forest floor, with fallen leaves and seedlings, the first storey is the trunk of the tree, and the second storey is the forest canopy."

A selection of grey, green and gold Havelock and Awake carpet tiles used in the classrooms are part of a colour scheme developed from the liturgical calendar, which also includes purple, white and black.

"We varied the intensity and selections of colour as you move up the building based on the kauri tree, featuring more green at the forest canopy," says Rasha. "The carpet tiles are cut into repeating triangular patterns to represent leaves and flowers, giving the flooring greater visual interest."

Havelock and Awake carpet tiles are especially suited to education environments, with the durability and fire rating required by the MOE. They are available ex-stock in a large colour and shade range. Tiles achieve Group 3 fire-rating, which means the tiles can be used up to 1200mm high on walls in education environments, allowing the design to flow from the floor onto the wall. They have a 25dB acoustic rating.