About Us

EDU-FORMA are New Zealand's most experienced education Architects.

Our team are specialized experts in the education design space. We have worked with the Ministry of Education (MoE), School Boards of Trustees and ECE Providers to deliver over 300 education projects nationwide over 3 decades.

Our depth of understanding in school and educational building design is the best in the country. Ensuring confidence that your project will not only comply with the NZ building codes, but also the vast and complex additional requirements added by the Ministry of Education varying design guidelines.

Master planning, Roll Growth, New Builds, 5YA Alterations, Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) upgrades, makers spaces, accessibility upgrades or remediation jobs, big or small we deliver them all. Over the years we have at some point worked with almost all school's across the North Island.



Our Commitment

Educational projects are different, often with all the same requirements of a full scale commercial type project, with none of the same budgets. We are adept at juggling the MoE technical requirments and design principles, school pedagogies and cultural requirements to deliver comprehensive educational and physical outcomes on time and on budget.




Our Services

At EDUFORMA, we act as lead designers — managing every aspect of the design process so that schools can focus on what they do best. While we’re fully experienced in working with the Ministry of Education, we are most often engaged directly by schools, which allows us to provide tailored solutions and responsive service.

With a background in both design and project management, we bring a unique understanding of the systems, funding processes, and operational challenges that educational projects often face. Whether you need full architectural services or a second opinion to help validate project direction, we offer clear guidance, efficient delivery, and design solutions that support long-term value for your school community.


Adding Value Through Design

Design for schools isn’t just about drawings — it’s about understanding how education works, what schools really need, and how to deliver it effectively.

With decades of experience in the education sector, we bring a depth of knowledge that helps schools make smart, cost-effective decisions. We know how to get the most out of existing assets, and we don’t waste time or budget on solutions that don’t serve your goals.

We also go well beyond traditional architectural scope. Our team often delivers the full package — from project management through to mechanical, fire, hydraulics, and electrical coordination — because we know that schools need practical, integrated delivery, not fragmented teams.

We’ve worked alongside teachers, principals, and boards long enough to know that great outcomes come from collaboration. Our designs are informed by real-world use and aligned with contemporary teaching pedagogies, ensuring that learning environments support both staff and students.

We stay up to date with Ministry of Education requirements, property processes, and the evolving academic landscape, so we can help schools create modern learning environments that meet the needs of today’s teaching and tomorrow’s learners.

“We design with schools, not just for them — combining practical experience with smart, integrated solutions that add value from start to finish.”

Process and Costs

Brief → Design → Delivery → Ongoing Support

With decades of experience in school projects, we simplify a complex process. From long-term property planning to post-occupancy, we provide end-to-end design leadership — often acting as a one-stop shop for everything your school needs.

We understand that clear steps, reliable costs, and minimal disruption are essential. Here’s how we work:

Briefing & Planning

  • Work with the school and Ministry to develop or refine the brief

  • Review existing condition assessments and 10YPP documentation

  • Identify project scope and establish clear design goals

  • Confirm fixed design fees and key project milestones

Design

  • Prepare a design package in response to the brief and clearly communicate to the school what they are getting

  • Lead the full design process, including fire, accessibility, sustainability, and coordination of specialist inputs (e.g. mechanical, hydraulic, electrical)

  • Develop documentation for resource consents (Outline Plan of Works), building consents, tendering, and construction

  • Set and manage realistic construction budgets in alignment with project scope and funding constraints

Construction & Delivery

  • Actively observe construction and manage quality throughout

  • Respond to site queries, review shop drawings, and assist with variations

  • Ensure all compliance, defecting, and close-out steps are completed

Ongoing Support

  • Assist with maintenance planning, handover documents, and as-builts

  • Provide post-occupancy evaluation and ongoing property advice

  • Help update 10YPP data for future planning and funding

Real Projects, Real Outcomes

Every building is different — and so is every solution.

Laingholm Primary School - New Build Classroom Block.

Design and delivery of a two-storey classroom block with three teaching spaces, two breakout areas, and support facilities. Built on a sloping site with a caretaker’s shed beneath. Delivered under a design and build contract — under budget, on time, and now used as a template for other schools. Fully meets Ministry of Education modern learning environment standards.

Laingholm Primary School – Existing Classroom block upgrades.

Seismic, structural, and fire compliance upgrade of a four-classroom block no longer fit for purpose. Full internal fit-out with new teaching spaces, façade rebuild, and library relocation. Delivered to Ministry standards with new lighting, power, and accessibility upgrades — under budget and completed on time for the school’s 50th Jubilee. Worked with the project manager, contractor, and principal, with all consultants engaged under us as lead designer.

Multiple Schools - 5YA Design quality learning standards (DQLS) Upgrades

We have worked with hundreds of schools over the years to upgrade existing learning spaces in line with the Ministry of Education’s Design Quality Learning Standards (DQLS). These 5YA-funded projects typically involve targeted improvements to acoustics, lighting, ventilation, and accessibility — tailored to each school’s needs and delivered within tight budget and programme constraints.

What Our Clients Say

"your big picture insight while working with our 10 Year Plan has given our school a solid base for improvement in keeping with the Modern Learning Environment ethos. Schools are very busy and complex. In today’s world and financial constraints it is even more important to have your knowledge and expertise to assist our school."

— Principal, Sunnyvale Primary School.

"Indeed, throughout the school’s partnership with the team, it has always been apparent that innovation and clever design solutions have been a strength of this firm and of it’s principal…. We had confidence in the people we worked with and mutual respect for each other. Our financial dealings were always fair, our contractual obligations always met, and the outcome was a 'finished product' of which we could all be proud."

— Principal, Blockhouse Bay Primary School.

"This project was built on time and on budget... Both companies have communicated and worked well with the school providing excellent design and building methods to produce a modern learning environment that will be enjoyed by all that use the classrooms."

— Principal, Mt Eden Normal Primary School

"They have consistently delivered successful, innovative solutions on a site which has many restrictions in both size and contours. They have always been ready and willing to listen to ideas from the school along with being proactive in advice regarding options and have always been attentive of project costs."

— Principal, Balmoral School.

Ready to Start a Conversation?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexity and find the right path forward.

Let’s Talk