Te Newhanga Kapiti Community Centre

Paraparaumu

‘Coastal vibrant’ was the brief, achieved with a retro twist.

Provided with a very minimal council budget, Appletree Designs was challenged with the task of creating an inviting environment for the community to use. To keep within the budget, it was decided to make the biggest impact with colour, rather than architectural brilliance. As many materials as possible were recycled and reused, such as the painted signs made from old timber panels that had been taken off the walls during the renovation.

This old building prior to the renovation resembled a depressing hospital. The aim was to create an environment where people wanted to come and enjoy the facilities and hire rooms to generate some more revenue for the centre. This has been a huge success.

‘Coastal vibrant’ was the brief, achieved with a retro twist. ShadowClad® was used for the walls. A small bach like home was built on the side of the wall, which is an entry door to a meeting room and the window showcases selected community products.

Green and black carpet tiles were incorporated to look like a road with grass edging, with artificial grass was used in front of the Kapiti beach mural. Wood planking was placed around the house to look like a deck. They even used an outside tap as a door handle.

In the meeting room, custom shades are made to look like clouds, a striking effect against the dark walls. Existing pillars have been transformed into trees using photographs of Pohutukawa trees made into stickers.

The reception has a neutral base of Resene Black White, livened up with Resene Red Berry, Resene Bright Spark and Resene Morning Glory. The meeting space has a more serious feel with Resene Bokara Grey. The hallway is a fresh burst of colour with Resene Ming and Resene Colorwood Whitewash, providing a welcoming punch of colour as you move around the community centre.

Building contractor: Construction Labour Hire (CLH)
Client: Board of Trustees of Te Newhanga Kapiti Community Centre
Interior designer: Rachel Steinmetz, Appletree Designs Ltd
Painting contractor: Construction Labour Hire
Other key contributor: Debbie Mattingley
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2015