Devonport Rotarians were fortunate, being given a guided tour of the brand-new Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Hau Kapua Devonport Library. It is now open at 2 Victoria Road in Windsor Reserve.
The $7.8 million building was designed by Athfield Architects. With high ceilings and a mezzanine floor area, the library has 950m2 of floor space, but sits within the same footprint as the former library on Windsor Reserve.
Feature windows frame harbour views on the south and east sides of the building, while to the west the entrance, expanses of glass pathways, and outdoor seating integrate the building with Devonport’s main street.
Innovative design features include the natural ventilation system which keeps the air at an ambient temperature using louvered windows and the building’s Devonport Library. natural air flows, and a series of ‘snug’ areas and subtle acoustic panelling that allow the library to be used for different purposes at the same time.
As well as the library’s existing collection of artworks and meaningful heritage items, it boasts four significant art pieces.
To cater for the library’s resident cat, Benjamin, a micro-chipped cat-door has been installed to allow him to come and go.