Concept designs for new Napier library ready!

Concept designs for Napier’s new library and governance facilities were recently approved by Council. This means the design can now be further progressed from the initial concept.

The new facility is set to be constructed on the corner of Hastings and Station Streets and replaces the now demolished Civic building.

Getting to this point marks a major milestone for the project with visuals of how the area could look in the future now available to view.

The project that is delivering the new library and governance facilities is known as Te Aka. The project is unique in that it involved a community partnership right from the beginning.

During the earlier stages, when the Library and Civic Area Plan was being developed, Council worked closely with mana whenua, friends of the library, neighbours, and community groups to ensure the eventual outcome reflects a space everyone will want to be.

The concept design was developed by Athfield Architects and mana whenua design lead, Israel Birch. The design is underpinned by a cultural narrative that describes what is unique about Napier and the stories important to this city and surroundings. The cultural narrative is woven through the concept design.

The concept design images and cultural narrative can be viewed on the Te Aka project page on Napier City Council’s website.

Next steps for the project will be further development of the design, which will go through various phases of progress throughout 2024. The community will have the chance to see this before Council adopts the proposed design in early 2025. Construction is due to begin in 2025/26.

12 October 2023

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