Out of all the libraries in Auckland, East Coast Bays Library has the highest number of users. The library had become tired, and Auckland Council wanted to make improvements to the library so that it would remain a valuable and accessible resource for the future.

The refurbishment and remodelling proposals were designed following consultation with the library staff; in order to understand how they work and the needs of the community they serve.

East Coast Bays Library has been subject to many ad hoc renovations and additions over the years which left many of the spaces awkward and difficult to use. We therefore focused on opening up the space – peeling back the layers of visual noise that had built up over the years, and improving its utility and usefulness to the community.

The building works included:

– General quality of life upgrades (as the building had an overheating problem) such as installing new ventilation into the space, and cooling the building through passive means such as tinting the skylights and installing louvres

– A finishes upgrade including new carpet, lighting and painting of the ceiling, walls and steel structure to brighten the space and reduce visual noise

– A new entrance lobby to reduce disturbance from the high coastal winds in the area

– An internal re-configuration, which involved constructing new public toilets – including accessible bathrooms which did not exist before

– Opening up of the staff areas by demolishing internal partitions, and rationalising the back of house storage areas

– The construction of an adaptable events space to allow the library to cater to community meeting and events

Facts + Figures

Client: Auckland Council
Location: Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

Construction cost: NZD1.3 million
Area: 935m²
Programme: Completed 2021

Project Team: Phil Smith,
James Browning, Zena Gerrard

Construction: Canam Group Ltd
Project Management: Stellar Projects

Renders: Collingridge and Smith