History has repeated itself with Whangarei's new central library winning an architectural award equivalent to that won nearly 70 years ago by the building it replaced.
The new library has won the community and cultural category in the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2006 Resene Architectural Awards.
The old library, in its day considered a state-of-the-art public amenity, won the Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1938.
"The new library has a straightforward, simple layout enhanced by dramatic high ceilings, and its active use shows that the town's citizens have taken it to their hearts," the judges said when the 2006 award winners were announced this week.
"The eye is drawn by sweeping staircases front and back which form dramatic cut-outs in the mezzanine above and the courtyard at the front is home to an outstanding collection of totems or pou, representing the city's varied cultural groups."
It is the second national award bestowed on the new $8 million facility - designed by Auckland-based Jazmax Architects - since it opened in May. In July the building won a Creative New Zealand award for the cross-cultural pou project. That aspect of the library's development also drew acknowledgement from the Race Relations Commissioner.
Whangarei District Councillor Merv Williams, chairman of the library project committee, is delighted the new library continues the tradition of winning accolades.
"It's a real credit to all those involved that the new Central Library has been recognised for a second time in this way, particularly given the design and build approach and funding constraints."
The library was the end result of a collective vision and collaborative effort that had put Whangarei firmly in the spotlight, he said.
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