The New Generation National Library of New Zealand will be a library that never sleeps. A place where access to New Zealand's documentary heritage inspires new ideas and leads to the creation of new stories and knowledge. A library for all New Zealanders to connect with, wherever they are.
Penny Carnaby, National Librarian and Chief Executive
A planned redevelopment of the National Library in Wellington will enable us to adapt our services to better protect and share the story of New Zealand, and ensure our future tamariki have access to their heritage for generations to come.
The programme of redevelopment leads the way for the National Library to deliver on its New Generation Strategy to 2017 aimed at connecting New Zealanders with information and knowledge important to all aspects of their lives.
More about the New Generation Strategy
In line with the desire to evolve the home of our taonga, the redevelopment project will involve a transformation of the existing building yet retain the existing structural 'bones' to deliver continuity on the Molesworth Street site. The original exterior will be removed and a new 'skin' and additional space added to all four edges of the building. This will extend the structure to the edge of Molesworth Street, allowing the development of a 12-metre deep, five storey high atrium to showcase the building’s content. The building will be the same height it is today.
The National Library building redevelopment will encourage interaction with the public by allowing the function of the building to be clearly seen from outside and activities to be communicated to the external world. The 'New Generation' Library will be fronted by a white steel structural frame presented as a skeleton of an energy efficient, digitally active sign and symbol of New Zealand's changing reality.
Design objectives for the building redevelopment
- Increase the level of accessibility of the building and its contents to New Zealanders and the international community
- Increase the quantity and quality of archival space, allowing greater capacity for the building to protect and preserve valuable collections
- Increase the building's internal legibility
- Increase the visibility of and access to the Alexander Turnbull Library
- Recognise the place of Māori and New Zealand's place in the Pacific and the world
- Use an environmentally sustainable design.
Features of the building redevelopment
- More exhibition and collections space, with an additional 3965m2 of space
- Updated controlled storage environments that meet international preservation standards
- More prominent presence for the Alexander Turnbull Library
- Enhanced research spaces and facilities
- Interactive spaces for digital access to collections
- 3D and multimedia experiences
- Improved environmental footprint, incorporating innovative and leading-edge environmentally sustainable features
- Create a more multicultural presence, using external and internal design features to additionally recognise the place of Māori and New Zealand's place in the Pacific and the world
- Five-storey high atrium to showcase the building's valuable collections
- Low-energy design elements including natural ventilation, ground source heat exchange, rain water harvesting, use of bio or alternative fuels.
Further information
Architect's video presentation of the proposed redeveloped National Library building
Visualisations of the proposed redeveloped National Library building
Statement from the Hon Judith Tizard, Minister Responsible for the National Library
