Whanganui Collegiate Library

About Whanganui Collegiate Library

The HG Carver Memorial Library at Whanganui Collegiate School, originally built as a dining hall in 1911 and converted into a library in the 1980s, is now part of a Category 1 listed Heritage NZ site. This heritage status, while significant for New Zealand’s history, added complexity to the design process.

Engineers and architects collaborated closely to ensure the building’s performance needs were met discreetly. Controlling air circulation and moisture in the library was crucial; with the walls having to remain largely untouched, solutions included running supply air under the subfloor for ground-level meeting rooms, using subtle floor vents, and employing a compact design for the mezzanine level. The main intake was concealed in the bell tower. Mechanical systems were carefully attenuated to limit noise, ensuring near-silent ventilation.

Simple, geometric lighting complemented the architectural vision, using darker, solid elements to highlight the existing materials. The result is a bold yet simple design that allows the original architecture to shine, while providing a modern space for the school.

Awards
2020 NZIA Western Architecture Award – Education Category
2020 NZIA Western Architecture Award – Heritage Category
2020 Whanganui Heritage Awards – Future Heritage Award:
2019 Best Gold Award – Public and Institutional Spaces
2019 Best Gold Award – Repurposed Spaces