Architectural Graduate | Moller Architects

Designed by Gordon Moller in 2005, the New Lynn Library was a project I helped carry forward from design development into consent and construction while working as an Architectural Graduate at Moller Architects. My contribution extended beyond technical documentation to the resolution of architectural details and the integration of building systems, ensuring the design intent could be translated into a buildable outcome.

One of the project's notable features was its inventive approach to passive cooling. I was involved in developing the technical resolution of a subfloor plenum system designed to reduce humidity in the incoming air before distributing it throughout the library. The drier air was introduced through stainless steel grated diffusers positioned alongside the bookshelves and along the front of the reception counter. This approach brought environmental performance into the architectural detail, integrating the delivery of air into the everyday fabric of the interior.

Located in the centre of New Lynn, the library was conceived as a civic and cultural storehouse, bringing together the public library, Citizens Advice Bureau, Council Service Centre and Memorial Square. A generous verandah and welcoming entrance connect the building with the public square, establishing its presence as a community destination.

Inside, adult and children's lending areas are complemented by informal reading spaces, study and research facilities. Glazed bay windows draw views of the surrounding landscape into the adult library, while a mezzanine provides quieter study areas overlooking both the library and the square. The integration of council services further strengthens the building's role as a shared civic resource.

The project was an important opportunity for me to contribute to the development of Gordon Moller's design, taking responsibility for the technical resolution needed to realise its architectural and environmental ambitions.