Havelock North High School

Alloyfold worked alongside Team Architects to transform the auditorium at Havelock North High School in Hawke's Bay for their landmark 50th anniversary celebration, installing 261 new Debussy seats with Navy upholstery and wooden backs that improve sound quality.

The school, which has produced notable alumni including motorsport legend Greg Murphy, renowned artist Freeman White, and multi-platinum opera singer Geoff Sewell, needed a professional performance space worthy of their national reputation for excellence in the arts.

The Napier-based architectural team, led by Robin Larkworthy and draftsperson Tarryn Moloney, specialises in educational buildings and guided us through multiple revisions to optimise the space whilst meeting safety requirements, ensuring the Debussy seating fitted perfectly with the building's aesthetic.

Each seat measures 85cm tall and 51cm wide with aluminium frame and high-quality foam padding, featuring a tip-up mechanism that maximises floor space when not in use, backed by a 5-year warranty reflecting their quality for heavy institutional use.

Individual seat numbering and 42 row identification markers were integrated for crowd management.

The project required coordination over several years as we adapted the layout to match actual site measurements, sourced custom fabric, and managed overseas shipping, working with TW Construction to deliver and install everything on schedule.

The renovated auditorium was officially opened by opera singer Geoff Sewell and kaumātua "Papa" Jerry Hapuku as part of the school's 50th Jubilee celebrations, with Geoff Sewell performing with the school's alumni choir during the high-profile opening ceremony, which was covered by Hawke's Bay Today.

The school has launched a "Sponsor a Seat" campaign, allowing community members to sponsor individual seats, with personalised plaques mounted on each seat back, creating a lasting connection between supporters and the facility.

Principal Joel Wilton reflected on the success:"Sitting in the new auditorium, listening to world-class performances was such a fitting way to honour our past and look ahead to what the next 50 years might bring."

The completed auditorium seating now provides a professional venue for concerts, plays, and graduation ceremonies, creating a lasting community asset that enhances educational programmes and serves the wider Havelock North community for events and ceremonies.