An Architect, Designer or Engineer engaged for a new school project or renovation faces strict standards that must be achieved in the design and construction of the project. Not only must all school building projects comply with Building Code, NZ Standards and follow industry best practice, they must comply with legal and Ministry design standards, often more stringent due to the high-use/high traffic nature of the project. School boards of trustees must make sure that any consultant or contractor engaged for a project is aware of the standards.
The Design Standards for building or upgrading are designed to
- keep the building safe and fit for purpose
- provide the best physical environment for people using the school
- get the best long-term value for money from the new system or building
- protect the Government’s investment in school buildings.
There are 3 types of design standards that must be considered in a building project:
- legal requirements
- Ministry requirements
- best practice standards
Large projects of $3 million or more will be reviewed by the Ministry of Education's Design Review Panel who will, amongst other judgement criteria, ensure that these standards and requirements are met.
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