H B Williams Memorial Library

Contemporary Knowledge Hub tells Stories through Award-Winning Design

H B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial Library
Cultural narratives, local history and manaakitanga underpin the design of Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation, resulting in a contemporary knowledge hub for the Tairāwhiti community.

The interweaving of cultural narrative and local history combined with the expression of manaakitanga underpinned the collaborative design process for Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation. This extensive deep refurbishment project transforming the existing traditional library into a vibrant knowledge hub and future-fit community asset that speaks of the mana whenua of Tairāwhiti.

The library is one of Gisborne District Council’s most popular facilities, with more than 5,000 visitors a week. The project involved the extension and renovation of the original library to create a contemporary knowledge hub with a combined floor area of over 2000m².

The architectural concept for the project was developed through extensive engagement and close collaboration between Chow:Hill, the Gisborne District Council and Cultural Design Director and tohunga Sir Derek Lardelli of Lardelli Arts.

Photography by: Amanda Aitken

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Key features and attributes

  • Architectural design founded on guiding cultural narratives, established from the commencement of the concept design and embedded in all aspects of the project from floor planning and function to materials selection and finishes.
  • Unique expression of people and place through the blending of art and architecture, guided and inspired by the early collaboration and cultural design direction of Derek Lardelli as part of the Project Design Team.  
  • Community archival resource, the newly refurbished facility providing climate-controlled storage, display and access to historical records from the rohe, including a collection of records related to ancestral research.
H B Williams Memorial Library
Cultural narratives, local history and manaakitanga underpin the design of Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation, resulting in a contemporary knowledge hub for the Tairāwhiti community.

The interweaving of cultural narrative and local history combined with the expression of manaakitanga underpinned the collaborative design process for Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation. This extensive deep refurbishment project transforming the existing traditional library into a vibrant knowledge hub and future-fit community asset that speaks of the mana whenua of Tairāwhiti.

The library is one of Gisborne District Council’s most popular facilities, with more than 5,000 visitors a week. The project involved the extension and renovation of the original library to create a contemporary knowledge hub with a combined floor area of over 2000m².

The architectural concept for the project was developed through extensive engagement and close collaboration between Chow:Hill, the Gisborne District Council and Cultural Design Director and tohunga Sir Derek Lardelli of Lardelli Arts.

Photography by: Amanda Aitken

Read More

Key features and attributes

  • Architectural design founded on guiding cultural narratives, established from the commencement of the concept design and embedded in all aspects of the project from floor planning and function to materials selection and finishes.
  • Unique expression of people and place through the blending of art and architecture, guided and inspired by the early collaboration and cultural design direction of Derek Lardelli as part of the Project Design Team.  
  • Community archival resource, the newly refurbished facility providing climate-controlled storage, display and access to historical records from the rohe, including a collection of records related to ancestral research.
H B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial Library

Project Credits

Client

H B Williams Memorial Library

Status

2018

Project Type

Public & Civic

Awards

2019 NZIA Awards
// Gisborne, Hawke's Bay
// Public Architecture

 

Project Lead

Jane Hill

Design Team
H B Williams Memorial Library
Cultural narratives, local history and manaakitanga underpin the design of Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation, resulting in a contemporary knowledge hub for the Tairāwhiti community.

The interweaving of cultural narrative and local history combined with the expression of manaakitanga underpinned the collaborative design process for Gisborne District Council’s H B Williams Memorial Library renovation. This extensive deep refurbishment project transforming the existing traditional library into a vibrant knowledge hub and future-fit community asset that speaks of the mana whenua of Tairāwhiti.

The library is one of Gisborne District Council’s most popular facilities, with more than 5,000 visitors a week. The project involved the extension and renovation of the original library to create a contemporary knowledge hub with a combined floor area of over 2000m².

The architectural concept for the project was developed through extensive engagement and close collaboration between Chow:Hill, the Gisborne District Council and Cultural Design Director and tohunga Sir Derek Lardelli of Lardelli Arts.

Photography by: Amanda Aitken

Read More

Key features and attributes

  • Architectural design founded on guiding cultural narratives, established from the commencement of the concept design and embedded in all aspects of the project from floor planning and function to materials selection and finishes.
  • Unique expression of people and place through the blending of art and architecture, guided and inspired by the early collaboration and cultural design direction of Derek Lardelli as part of the Project Design Team.  
  • Community archival resource, the newly refurbished facility providing climate-controlled storage, display and access to historical records from the rohe, including a collection of records related to ancestral research.
H B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial Library
H B Williams Memorial LibraryH B Williams Memorial Library

Project Credits

Client

H B Williams Memorial Library

Status

2018

Project Type

Public & Civic

Awards

2019 NZIA Awards
// Gisborne, Hawke's Bay
// Public Architecture

 

Project Lead

Jane Hill

Design Team

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