“With Firth PorousPave™ available in two colour options we decided we wanted to use the lighter colour ‘Natural’ to delineate the parking bays from the rest of the forecourt and to use the darker colour ‘Black Sands’ for the main driveway,” says Marian.
“Peter McIntyre and his team from Lanta Construction, who we also used for the renovation on the Northcote centre, did another amazing job as did Colin Pile from Milford Paving who laid the large area of paving,” says Andrew. “Even though we were delayed last year by the COVID 19 lockdowns, construction was finally complete in November last year and we were able to open. Mandy and I are very pleased with the new facility and very happy with the team-work of all concerned.”
For more information on Firth EcoPave™ Permeable Paving click here or Em: info@firth.co.nz or Ph: 0800 Firth1.
Firth PorousPave™ perfect for new Newbies
Andrew Harvey and Mandy Jones owner operators of Newbies Early Learning Centre in Northcote on Auckland’s north shore, decided that the family demographic in Birkdale included a lot of young families and would be the ideal location for a second Newbies Early Learning Centre. When a prime location came up right across the road from Birkdale Primary School it was almost a sign for the couple to start on plans for a new centre!
“It took about three years from start to finish to purchase the land, obtain planning and building consent, and for construction and completion of the new centre,” says Andrew.
“The Northcote centre was a renovation whereas the Birkdale centre we built from scratch. We commissioned Fat Parrot Architecture, who have a great reputation for building early learning centres, to work with us to design the centre. It was an easy choice and one we are very happy we made.”
“Originally the design was to include precast panels but due to geotechnical constraints it was later changed to a lighter timber framed structure clad with weatherboards,” says Marian Kubes of Fat Parrot Architecture.
“In keeping with the residential look, as the site is surrounded by residential properties, we wanted the new centre to look as though it belonged there, and didn't want a large expanse of industrial looking concrete or asphalt to clash with the residential feel of the area. We decided on pavers, which were always the look of choice, which with their delicate pattern would add interest and human scale to the otherwise plain forecourt.”
Marian says that while investigating options for the paving he came across the Firth EcoPave™ Permeable Paving range on the Firth website. “I have actually used Firth permeable paving before and looking at the specifications and the colour choices it was decided to use PorousPave™. A big plus of permeable pavers is that they enable us to catch rain water where it falls as opposed to having to deal with large quantities of surface water at the lower end of the paved area. This is particularly useful on sloping sites like this one.”
Customer: Newbies Early Learning Centres
Architect: Fat Parrot Architecture
Contractor: Lanta Construction
Paving Contractor: Milford Paving, Concrete and Landscaping
Product: Firth PorousPave™