Library sets sail - New Brighton Public Library

New Brighton's Public Library with its nautical imagery and bold use of colours, provides a striking civic landmark.

Positioned between the clock tower, pier and macrocarpa tree, the library has a dynamic appearance, as if it were a ship about to sail away.

It caught the eye of the judges in the 1999/2000 Canterbury NZIA Resene Branch Awards and won both an award for architecture and colour.

Colour plays an important role, both inside and out. The exterior compressed concrete has been enlivened with sail-like sunscreens and panels painted in Resene Lumbersider in bold colours - yellow, orange and red - providing some contrast to the cool, neutral materials used for the majority of the building.

A tough anti-corrosive paint system was required for the steelwork due to the high levels of salt in the air. This comprised Resene Armourcote 220, followed by Imperite 503 Metallic and an acrylic polyurethane gloss over the top - Uracryl 403 Clear.

All interior Gib walls were brought to a Level 5 finish using Resene Broadwall Surface Prep followed by Broadwall Acrylic Wallboard Sealer and topcoated in Zylone Sheen.

Architect: Barclay Architects
Builder: Mainzeal Construction
Engineer: Powell Fenwick Consultant
Painting Contractor: R J Roxburgh & Son

Resene case studies/awards project gallery

View case studies that have used Resene products including many from our Resene Total Colour Awards. We hope these projects provide inspiration for decorating projects of your own...view projects

Total Colour Award winners: 
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | Entry info

Latest projects | Project archive | Resene news archive | Colour chart archive