Celebrating Purposeful Design at LENZ 2025 - Wainuiomata School Tour

Image credit: Stephenson and Turner

This past Monday, June 9th, our team had the privilege of attending the Learning Environments New Zealand (LENZ) event at Wainuiomata High School, a stunning example of what happens when community, culture, and modern learning design come together with purpose.

As proud sponsors of this LENZ event, it was inspiring to walk through the school’s newly rebuilt spaces and experience firsthand how design has been used not only to shape learning environments but to honour identity, belonging, and aspiration.

A Kura Built for Its People

The tour offered a deep dive into the vision behind the school's rebuild, a project that’s been five years in the making. The new Wainuiomata kura isn’t just a school, it’s a wharenui of learning, connection, and culture. As the new principal so powerfully shared:

"This kura has been shaped by our community, for our community. It honours mana whenua, holds space for our cultural narrative, and reflects the aspirations of Wainuiomata… Our new buildings are not just school facilities – they are spaces for connection, learning, and belonging."

From every corner of the school, it was clear that this wasn't just about new infrastructure, it was about transformation. It was about a school environment that supports young people to grow into themselves with confidence, pride, and a strong sense of place.

A Showcase of Thoughtful, Inclusive Design

The architectural layout and interior zones throughout the school are a celebration of flexible, student-centred learning. We were particularly impressed by the creative use of breakout zones and communal learning hubs, all integrated to support both independent learning and collective engagement.

The use of colour, both inside and out, was bold and impactful. The palette contributes significantly to the sense of vibrancy and energy that pulses through the space. It’s evident that every design decision was made with intention, creating an inclusive and dynamic environment where students can truly thrive.

Our Contribution

We’re proud to have played a role in this inspiring rebuild through our sustainable flooring solutions. Two of our high-performance products were selected for the school:

• Forbo Sphera Element in 50001 Black – a resilient, hygienic sheet vinyl solution ideal for busy learning environments.

• Flotex Colour FR in Metro Ash – a versatile textile flooring offering the durability of a hard floor with the acoustic and comfort benefits of carpet.

Both products complement the school’s bold visual language while supporting performance, comfort, and long-term sustainability.

Looking Ahead

The LENZ event was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. At Inzide, we believe that well-designed environments shape outcomes for learning, for well-being, and for community. Wainuiomata’s new kura is proof of that belief brought to life.

We’d like to thank the Wainuiomata High School team for opening their doors and sharing their story, and LENZ for continuing to foster these important conversations around educational design in Aotearoa.

We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this incredible community.