Christchurch City Council today agreed to call for expressions of interest from contractors to build a new library of about 9,850 m2 at a total cost of up to $85 million.
The Council is to pay $75 million along with a philanthropic contribution of $10 million.
The design for the New Central Library for Cathedral Square was inspired by the Canterbury landscape as well as feedback from the public on what they wanted in the new building.
The new Central Library is expected to open in 2018, replacing the old central library in Gloucester Street which was damaged in the earthquakes and demolished to make way for the new convention centre as part of Christchurch’s Central Recovery Plan.
The new Library will be well appointed to act as a flagship community hub. Along with digital, specialist and print collections, the Central Library will have a cafe, 200-seat community arena, exhibition space, outdoor terraces and areas for families, children and youth.
People Power
The libraries design is largely based on 2,400 ideas from residents collected during last year’s Your Library, Your Voice campaign.
The New Central Library will be able to offer programmes that were never possible in the library old building. With activity rooms for things like craft sessions, as well as a film and editing unit plus a music studio there is ample scope for the new library to be bustling community hub.
New Zealand company Architectus worked in partnership with Danish library experts schmidt hammer lassen and project director Carsten Auer says the design was developed in discussion with Ngāi Tahu and the Ngāi Tūāhuriri rūnanga.
Outdoor terraces and openings on upper floors face culturally significant points in the Canterbury landscape such as Horomaka / Pātaka o Rākaihautū (Banks Peninsula) and Maungatere (Mt Grey).
We cant wait for it to open!