The Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre has won an excellence award in the Special Purpose Property category of the Property Council NZ Rider Levett Bucknall Awards for 2010.
The judges commended the building for its cutting edge architecture, space planning and design.
This modern building, which incorporates the latest environmentally sustainable design, was also nominated for the Green Building Property Award.
“It is a great achievement to receive industry recognition for the architectural value of the library. This adds to the overwhelming praise we have received from the local community, which in itself is a rare accomplishment for a public facility,” says Tony Holman, Chair of the Community Services and Parks Committee.
“With nine finalists in the section, the library had tough competition for this coveted award. This is a great finish to a long, but extremely rewarding project,” says Geoff Chamberlain, Library Manager.
“Not only is the library and civic centre receiving recognition in New Zealand, it is also gaining attention and a name for itself on a number of international architectural websites,” he says.
The purpose-built Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre was officially opened in March 2010. Standing proudly in the Highbury shopping precinct and built over two and a half stories, the facility effectively packs in library operations, council services, meeting and community rooms, a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Plunket Office, archives and public toilets.
The architect, Archoffice, responded to the council’s architectural brief to deliver an affordable facility which achieved high standards of environmental sustainability and integrated beautifully with its natural surroundings.
Award entries go through a rigorous, 12-week process in which ten judges review each submission, setting it against detailed criteria. Judging also involves site visits.
Submissions were judged on the return on investment, operation and maintenance factors, the degree of difficulty, environmentally sustainable features and urban design principles. The ability to cope with changes in technology and a positive contribution to the built environment were all considered.
