Project spotlight: Nelson school makes learning colourful

17 Jan 2023

Broadgreen Intermediate School in Nelson has brightened up their learning space all with the help of Resene’s very own Resene ColorShop Manager and Colour Specialist, Selina Wilson. From the moment she met with the school there was a clear brief, creating a school which provided warmth and fun on the exterior. 

The school wanted to incorporate their six ‘house’ colours within the new design, and Selina knew she wanted to create something different than just using block sections of the colours to represent these.

“I wanted to add fun and excitement by expanding the house colour groups to have three colours within those six ‘house’ colours,” says Selina. “This gave me the ability to be able to create stripes using the house colour groups, both vertical and horizontal, around the school to define certain areas.”

The main colour of the school, Resene Half Wheatfield, was chosen to bring warmth and calmness to the learning space, as well as create a striking contrast against the bolder colours. McKenzie Paint Contractors, local company in Nelson, worked hard in getting the stripes masked and painted, this was no easy task and they did a wonderful job.

Resene Tangerine, Resene Kamikaze, Resene California and Resene Spotlight add bold touches of colour with surrounding walls around the school painted in Resene Half Wheatfield, barge boards, fascias, poles and window frames are painted in Resene Grey Friars.

Resene Summit Roof Paint Semi Gloss was used on the roof and guttering for its outstanding flexibility on steel and built in anti-corrosion qualities, tinted to Resene Grey Friars. For the exterior walls, including the stunning stripes, Resene Sonyx 101 was used, providing superior toughness and durability. For extra longevity, Resene Uracryl 402 was used with added UV inhibitors for an anti-graffiti coating over the bright colour stripes.

For the doors and windows, Resene Lustacryl Semi Gloss Waterborne Enamel was used, and to keep the concrete lasting, Resene X-200 was used as a durable coat to ensure long-term durability.

“We wanted to get away from the harsh concrete look and incorporate our six house colours, says Principal of Broadgreen Intermediate, Pete Mitchener. “Selina’s interpretation of that with the different tones and wrapping the colours around the corners has given the school depth, light and excitement. We continually get awesome feedback about how great it looks and the students think it looks great. We haven’t had any vandalism on the brightly painted aspects as if they appreciate the value of the colours.”

This striped feature in Resene Pukeko, Resene Blue Gem and Resene Moody Blue contrasts with surrounding walls painted in Resene Half Wheatfield and barge boards, fascias, poles and window frames in Resene Grey Friars.

Published: 17 Jan 2023