A thousand words

A picture is worth one thousand words, and a library full of pictures and words joined by cultural masterpieces is worth much more to the local community. The first civic building of this type to be built in the district in nearly three decades, the Whangarei Public Library set against a landscape of the Whangarei hills combines upmarket futuristic architectural design with community involvement.

Double the size of its predecessor, the new two storey library bridges out to the old with its large roof extending over the rear of the old library to form a shared porch roof, while providing a relaxing outlook to Cafler Park.

The predominantly tilt slab exterior is joined by exterior steelwork finished in Resene Uracryl 403. As a backdrop to the books, interior steelwork is finished in Environmental Choice approved Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel and general wall spaces in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen for a durable finish.

Striking hues of Resene Wasabi (muted lime green) and Resene Pohutukawa (spicy rich red) provide contrast and interest against the more neutral tones of Resene Bianca (cream off-white), a palette that is a seamless fit with the cultural makeup of the community

Developed under a fixed price contract, the completed project came in just under budget with community assistance providing for the totara poles, carving, lighting and installation and has recently been awarded a Creative New Zealand 'Built Environment' Award. When opened with a fanfare of cultural performances, the Prime Minister acknowledged that with the multicultural pou it represented much more than just a library for Whangarei.

Architect: Jasmax
Building Contractor: Kerr Construction
Engineers (Architectural): Hawthorn & Geddes
Painting Contractor: McNabb Decorating Services
Resene: Stef Christodoulou, Northland Branch Manager
From the Resene News – issue 1/2007

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