Couple Transforms Abandoned School Into Colorful Dream Home

When Sue Rogers first spotted the abandoned Quarry Hill School in Tokanui, New Zealand, she saw magic. Her husband Ian saw decades of backbreaking work.

"I wouldn't say we agreed instantly," Sue laughs. "It was more a wife nagging."

The building in front of them told a story of neglect. Quarry Hill School first opened in the late 1800s, though the current structure dates to 1958. After closing in 1993, it had sat empty for nearly 25 years, slowly disappearing under towering macrocarpa hedges and overgrown vegetation.

Sue, ironically a school principal by day, had dreamed of renovating an old school for years. In 2017, she finally convinced Ian to take the leap on the half-hectare property in the tiny Southland township.

The transformation began with clearing 30 years of wild growth. Working with local builder Craig Brown, they gutted the school to its framing while keeping the structure mostly intact. New insulation went in, windows got double glazing, and a massive 9.6-meter beam was installed to support a kitchen extension.

"Structurally it was already about 90 to 95% sound," Ian says. Wherever possible, they salvaged and reused original materials.

Sue insisted the renovation honor the building's soul. The giant chalkboard above the bed stayed. The cubby holes where generations of children stored their school bags remain. Bold, quirky colors now fill the bright living spaces.

"It had to feel like a fun school," Sue explains.

The biggest surprise came from the derelict swimming pool. For months, Sue and Ian debated turning it into a greenhouse or vegetable garden. Instead, they built a one-bedroom beach-themed chalet inside the old pool structure, perfect for guests or short-term visitors.

The main building took three years to complete. Total renovation costs hit around $250,000, not counting their own labor. That's five times Sue's original $50,000 estimate, but neither regrets a penny.

Sunny's Take

Former students still stop by to walk the halls where they once learned and played. The couple welcomes them warmly, sharing stories of what the space looked like when they started. The tiny community of Tokanui has embraced them fully.

"Everybody knows each other and they all come together," Sue says. "It is what a community should be."

Now the couple is ready for their next adventure. Sue has one firm rule: "Not an old school!" But Ian's advice to whoever buys their labor of love is simple and heartfelt.

"Enjoy it. It's a beautiful little spot with history. It was always part of the community and should always be part of the community."