Chirag Sehgal, Project Manager, Ceres New Zealand says “The strip out process was a delicate operation and labour intensive as the floor loadings were not sufficient to support large machinery. We also kept to a rigorous waste minimisation plan – much of the material we removed has been reused.”
The design process
Wellingtonians love their libraries, and Te Matapihi (Central Library) has a special place in their hearts. That’s why Council confirmed in 2020 that the building would be remediated to the highest standard (base isolation), following its closure to the public in March 2019.
In 2020, work began on the design principles for Te Matapihi. This process involved consultation with the Wellington public, including mana whenua, and many other key stakeholders and partners. The feedback was clear: Wellingtonians wanted Te Matapihi to be first and foremost a safe, resilient, and future-proofed library, a centre for public knowledge, and a multipurpose, multi-use resource for the community.
As a result of that community engagement, in April 2021 Council adopted the following design principles: (1) Engage fully with mana whenua, (2) Design for the visitor, (3) Harness the power of partnership, and (4) Make it a modern library, fit for purpose, make it Wellington! In addition, Council agreed to extend levels 3 and 4, and target a 5 Green Star rating for the building.