Weltec School of Construction’s Petone Campus, constructed in 2014, provides a modern learning environment for over 220 trade students. Designed by Design Group Stapleton Elliot, the new building is tailored to the school’s focus on hands-on learning with multi-purpose open plan workshops and teaching spaces with student break-out areas.

The structure of the building was designed to be economical and efficient, utilising a mostly pre-cast concrete structure with elevated metal-clad boxes in a copper finish — a reference to the containers formally used on the site. For the roofing, two different RoofLogic systems were specified to provide waterproofing, thermal and acoustic performance and to ensure durability in a coastal environment.

Above the office and lecture room areas of the building, RoofLogic’s Ultratherm MSR insulated metal roof system was installed. The system features RoofLogic Liner Deck, RoofLogic’s high-performance Vapour Control Layer, RoofLogic PIR insulation layer and RoofLogic Topdeck T metal top skin. Together these components combine to eliminate condensation, mould and corrosion risk and provide the highest levels of thermal performance.

A copper colour was chosen for the RL Topdeck T, creating a visual connection with the profiled metal cladding system that was also supplied by RoofLogic.

For the larger roof above the main training area, DGSE opted for RoofLogic’s Ultratherm Xtreme membrane roof system. The system comprises RoofLogic Structural Base Deck, RoofLogic’s high-performance Vapour Control Layer, RoofLogic PIR insulation layer and RoofLogic’s Fibertite membrane.

Key to the system’s performance, the Fibertite membrane provides a high level of waterproofing in extreme conditions, along with exceptional UV resistance, durability, chemical resistance and service life. The system was also designed to enhance acoustic performance (both in respect to rain noise and STC) to ensure a comfortable learning environment for the students using the open plan learning spaces below.

Opened in 2015, the eye-catching building ensures Weltec students have a purpose-built training facility, with RoofLogic systems providing thermal performance, acoustic control and strength for decades to come. The simple yet striking design won the education category of the 2017 Wellington Architecture Awards, with architect and convenor of the awards Alistair Luke saying it was “a direct but clever response to a very specific brief with a tight budget.”