Inaugurated in 2021, Wellington’s Senior School, also known as the Skylight Building, is a remarkable six-storey structure where architecture and purpose converge to blend natural light, spaciousness, and creativity. Its unique circular design, anchored by a central cylindrical library, creates a vibrant hub that promotes collaboration among students and teachers.
S+B began its collaboration with Wellington College in 2020, designing and manufacturing bespoke furniture for two of the school’s state-of-the-art science laboratories. This project set a high standard for modern science lab design and established a benchmark for future laboratories.
The success of this initial collaboration brought S+B’s team, along with their Bangkok agent, Charleston Scientific International, back to Wellington in 2023. This visit focused on designing lab furniture for five additional laboratories, as well as a spacious prep room and dedicated storage area.
The new laboratories showcase two distinct designs; however, one theme emerges: they prioritise collaboration and spaciousness while maximising usability. These environments reflect the school’s “tone” of being “exciting, inspiring, thought-provoking, innovative, and truly exceptional”.
S+B’s innovative SpaceStation and Saturn workstations, featuring Corian white moulded turrets, add a sense of excitement and energy into two of the labs, moving away from conventional designs. In other laboratories, Crescent benching with integrated cupboards provides essential storage for Biology and Physics, delivering function and style.
Each lab is equipped with SpaceSaver teaching storage walls, bespoke teacher desks, and a shared Mobiline fume cupboard, blending safety and efficiency with a forward-thinking approach.
In addition, thoughtfully designed access routes to the Prep and Storage Rooms enhance safety and functionality, enabling teachers to efficiently prepare and access materials for hands-on learning, ultimately fostering a vibrant educational atmosphere where curiosity and innovation can thrive.
To find out more about Phase 1 and view images of the project, please click here.