Refurbishing large lecture theatres

Two more large lecture theatres are scheduled for revamps - following the standard set in Castle 2 for IT, comfort, visual appeal and accessibility - with hopes even more will follow.

Head of Campus Development Gordon Roy says Burns 2 will have a make-over by Semester One next year and Burns 1 is scheduled for the 2025-26 summer break.

The aim is to have an annual work programme of complete revamps of tiered lecture theatres across the University over multiple years - depending on funding availability.

In Castle 2, improvements include cameras that track lecturers, modern seats with foldaway tables, better acoustics, accessibility enhancements, and design with a Māorinarrative.

The University's Pae TataStrategic Plan to 2030 envisages having spaces and digital environments that deliver what the University's communities need and are fit for purpose, enhancing teaching and learning, delivering a blend of on-site and remote learning and helping students have an outstanding experience at Otago.

Upgrading teaching and learning technology also supports the Te Ara AkituUniversity of Otago Learner Success Plan 2023-2030 because technology is one of three key enablers that will help improve learners' success.

Incorporating a Māoridesign narrative by working with cultural adviser and mana whenuaowned Aukahasupports the Te Aka Matua2030 - MāoriStrategic Framework 2030 as well, which envisages co-designing spaces and developing a strongerMāori identity across and services.

Digital revamps

AV Support Team Leader of Ryan Walker says IT's audio-visual focus in lecture theatres is now on perpetual innovation and working in tandem with the annual upgrades - cutting-edge technology is now regularly introduced in response to the University's evolving, dynamic learning and teaching needs.

A noticeable advance during the Castle 2 upgrade was installing an AI smart camera system that follows lecturers as they move, ensuring students online in real-time or watching recordings later can see their lecturers, Ryan says.

AV Support also collaborated with Marshall Day Acoustics as it used advanced 3D modelling to map how sound moves in the room and reflects off surfaces, so new acoustic panels could reduce reverberation and improve sound quality. Then, Marshall Day worked with mana whenua-owned organisation Aukahato incorporate cultural design into the panels.

More Wi-Fi points were added as well, to support wireless laptops and other devices, Ryan says.

Physical revamp

University architect-designer Alex Christos says before renovation, Castle 2 had long wooden tables with fold-up seats behind them that were installed when the building was constructed in the early 1990s. Students now have individual seats with foldaway tables and power plugs nearby.

The modern seats are not only more comfortable, their colourful, hardwearing fabric covers can be removed and replaced as needed.

Group Leader Facilities (Campus) Alex Borland says Burns 2 and 1 already have individual seats so theirs will be upcycled with powder coating and new upholstery, reducing waste to landfill and costs.

Otherwise, the Burns' revamps will be similar to Castle 2, where all the walls were painted, wooden floors polished, the tiered seating area recarpeted, and the aisle widths increased to improve access

Lights were replaced with more energy-efficient LEDs that turn off when the room is vacant, on when people arrive, and have programmable settings, including dimming and movie-mode.

Castle 2 also has new power assisted door openers for accessibility, an infrared-based hearing assistance system for students with hearing impairments, illuminated stairs with new handrails, and new smoke detectors.

The cultural narrative

The Burns lecture theatres will have their own cultural design narratives rather than replicas of Castle 2's, where Aukahaworked with its Rūnaka-mandated panel to develop values and concepts associated with the University and its location.

They were mātauraka (knowledge systems and learning), the Ōwheo awa(stream), its closeness to a small nohoaka(settlement) where Howe and Leith Street meet, and mahika kai (customary gathering and processing of natural resources for food).

For Kāi Tahu, waterways are important for food gathering and travel, and often have spiritual significance, Aukahasays.

Its design lead ArohaNovak says Castle 2's designs take inspiration from traditional motifs in marae tukutukupanelling.

The diamond-shaped pātikirepresent makā(barracuda) often caught in Ōtepotiestuarine bays. The triangular ara moanapattern represents a water pathway or pathway to the sea. These are integrated into the colour palette, seating fabric pattern, and acoustic panels.