Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre / Archoffice

 
Courtesy of

Architect: Archoffice
Location: 205 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, North Shore City, New Zealand
Client: North Shore City Council
Project design team: Brendan Rawson (director in charge); Leon Bieldt (Project Architect); John Ingham; Henri Sayes; Tane Pratt; Rose McShane; Anna Fraser
Project management: RDT Pacific
Structural engineer: Brown and Thompson
Mechanical / Services engineer: S.K.M (Sinclair Knight Mertz)
Quantity surveyor: Maltbys
Planner: Burton Consultants
Traffic planner: McCormack Rankin Cagney
Construction Company: Mainzeal Property and Construction
Date of Practical Completion: 2 December 2009
Photos: Courtesy of Archoffice

The architectural concept for the library is based around a simple narrative of looking through ancient existing trees on the site to the view – thus notions of solid and void, transparency, light quality, pattern and form were considered and modelled to inform various design issues. The intention was to have a pleasant and verdant quality of light available within the building that subtly changes during the day, leading to the building becoming transparent at night.

Courtesy of Archoffice
Courtesy of Archoffice

The use of is a reference back to the old Plunket buildings that once occupied the site and provides a strong organisational element to the buildings design. The building enjoys a unique setting in the existing elevated Neil Fisher War Memorial Reserve. The reserve has been upgraded to both complement and enhance the building and the library is positioned to take account of the expansive and panoramic views available including Rangitoto and Coromandel in the east and the Waitakeres in the west. It combines Wi Fi, RFID, Internet and BMS technologies within contemporary architecture, space planning and design. On site public parking for thirty one cars within the building and a drive through book return have been provided.

Products in this project

Bathroom Equipment: Hale Manufacturing , MICOS

  • Toilet & Cubicle Partitions by Hale Manufacturing
  • Sanitary Fixtures & Fittings, Tapware & Accessories by MICOS

Construction materials, Semi-finished materials: Nahruia & Litecrete Systems

  • Precast Concrete Panels by Nahruia & Litecrete Systems

Facades: Eagle Masonry, Decortech , Bultrade Ltd , Metro Glasstech, Aliclad Cladding, Hunters (1998) Ltd

  • Brick Veneer Cladding by Eagle Masonry
  • Plywood Linings and Composite Board by Decortech
  • VM Zinc Metal Cladding by Bultrade Ltd
  • Glazing & Glass Balustrade by Metro Glasstech
  • Apolic Aluminium Composite Cladding by Aliclad Cladding
  • Laminated Timber Fins by Hunters (1998) Ltd

Floor: Y Not Tiling , Halstead Flooring, Hills Floorings

  • Wall & Floor Tiling by Y Not Tiling
  • Forbo Marmoleum Linoleum Surfacing by Halstead Flooring
  • Carpet Tiles and Vinyl Flooring by Hills Floorings

Joinery: Scotty Doors , MJN McNaughton Joinery Ltd, CS for Doors , Intext Systems Ltd

  • Roller Grilles & Shutters by Scotty Doors
  • Timber Doors by MJN McNaughton Joinery Ltd
  • Interior Doors by CS for Doors
  • Aluminium Windows & Doors by Intext Systems Ltd
  • Aluminium Door & Window Glazing by Intext Systems Ltd

Mobile Partitions/Suspended Ceilings/Raised Floors: Alpha Interiors

  • Suspended Ceilings by Alpha Interiors

Roof: Equus De Boer

  • Membrane Roofing System by Equus De Boer

Staircases, Elevators, Moving walks: Kone Elevators

  • Lifts by Kone Elevators

Walls: Worthingtons

  • Painting by Worthingtons
* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
Cite: "Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre / Archoffice" 14 Jun 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 23 May 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/63926>

11 comments

  8. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Quite nice, with a good — if somewhat hermetic — ground plan. But like alot of NZ architecture, when it gets beyond residential scale there are simply too many ideas. This needed an edit during concept design phase.

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