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Rosa Woods / Stuff
Wellington Central Library can be granted heritage status, and the public can be asked for their opinion.
The Wellington earthquake-affected central library could receive a Category 1 heritage list, despite being less than 30 years old.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is asking the public to submit their views on the state of the library’s heritage, while Wellington City Council simultaneously considers the future of the building after it closed in March 2019 over seismic concerns.
Opened in 1991, the library, designed by Athfield Architects, was the centerpiece of Te Ngākau Civic Square.
Heritage New Zealand Central Region Director Jamie Jacobs said the heritage listing does not mean that the building would be protected and that the decision would be left to the city council.
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A place on the heritage list tells a local authority that a building’s heritage values have been “vigorously” assessed, and is a strong signal that it should be included in the heritage program of district plans, which is the main how places are protected in New Zealand.
It can also open up funding opportunities for heritage conservation.
“The library has been affectionately nicknamed ‘Wellington’s living room’ because it has been so loved and visited over the years. We would like the public to read the list report and send us their thoughts on the merits of acknowledging its importance. “
If you get category 1 status, it will be the first heritage site from the 1990s.
Heritage Assessment Advisor Kerryn Pollock, who wrote the list report, said the library had considerable aesthetic, architectural, cultural, historical and social importance or value.
“Only in terms of architecture, the library is significant as an authentic example of postmodern architecture.”
She said the late Ian Athfield’s contribution and influence to New Zealand architecture was immense.
“Only in terms of architecture, the library is significant as an authentic example of postmodern architecture.”
But equally important, he said, was its social value, as a place to meet, read, and study.
Despite the age of the building, it has some serious architectural skills, winning a Carter Holt Harvey Award for Architecture in 1992, a Wellington Branch Award (NZIA) from the New Zealand Institute of Architects the same year, and a National Award from NZIA in 1993.
According to the listing report, the nīkau palm columns gained local icon status, inspired by the palm trees along Hollywood Boulevard.
The list report is available on the Heritage New Zealand website and public submissions are open until October 13.
