The Central Library was closed in March 2019 after the Council received advice from engineers that the building had structural vulnerabilities.

The new design provides for increasing accessibility and connection with Te Ngākau Civic Precinct by raising a substantial portion of the ground-floor level and increasing the public entry points from one to four, explains Nick Strachan of Athfield Architects.

“The refurbishment will change the way people move through, experience and interact with the collection and programmes being offered,” says Strachan.”There is increased glazing to the building façade, a café incorporated on the ground floor, which activates the edges to the Te Ngākau Precinct, and a new Civic Room, which will highlight the collection and culture of the city.”

Inside, the library is set to become brighter, with a new roof light, void and circulation stair bringing in natural light, while levels 3 and 4 will be extended and the library will target a 5 Green Star rating. The library’s and City Archive’s physical and digital collections will be curated to provide spaces to celebrate learning, creativity, art, local history and culture.

“As well as using the café, people will be able to use quiet spaces and seating to read or active spaces where they can meet and connect,” says Wellington City Council project director Paul Perniskie. “And young people will also be able to grow their creativity using the Capital E services that will be located there, complementing the library programmes.”

The project team is made up of Athfield Architects, which were responsible for the design of the original building, Wellington City Libraries, Wellington City Archives, Service Design Network, Capital E, Aurecon, Fire HQ, Stantec, Rider Levitt Bucknall, RCP, Tihei, Wraight + Associates, Sue Sutherland Consulting, Art of Fact and Māpuna Consultants. Construction company LT McGuiness hopes to begin earthworks in early 2023 and the library is expected to reopen in 2026.