Baldasso Cortese was engaged by the Ministry of Education to provide a master plan for Halswell Residential College, a special needs school located in Christchurch. Halswell Residential College is a unique and one-of-a-kind facility in the whole of New Zealand, catering for 32 years 6-10 students that board at the college for 12 months.

The sensitive arrangement of boarding houses was designed to create the look and feel of an enclosed village. A warm and limited material palette was selected to weave the campus into the adjoining bush land, with soft landscaped hills creating a safe and welcome environment. This is reflected in the interior design of the spaces. Acoustically treated plywood is paired with darker timber and carpet floors, emphasising softness through contrast.