Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and Library Project
An artist’s impression of the Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre and Library
Auckland Council is building a new community centre and library for Te Atatu Peninsula.
This $12 million project was initiated by the former Waitakere City Council. It involves removing the existing building and constructing new facilities on the same site in Te Atatu Road.
The new structure will provide for improved linkages between the building and the adjacent Jack Pringle Park, increased on site parking and a single level, north facing library.
The recreation hall in the community centre has been increased to accommodate a full size netball court.
Activity rooms on the west side of the community centre are shared over two levels, two upstairs and two at ground level.
Physical works were about to get underway in December 2011 but will now commence in May 2012.
In the library
The preliminary design for the new library features an expansive glass window so library users can look out on to the park and which will also let natural light in.
Sliding doors will allow people to check out a book, walk out on to a shaded veranda, or in to the park to sit back relax and read in the outdoors.
A generous ceiling height will provide a real sense of space.
A learning centre for those wanting to improve their computer skills is being located within the library.
In the community centre
This will be on two levels and provide for both passive and active recreation needs.
The aim in this space is to provide for a wider variety of uses and offer a range of options for the community in terms of spaces for hirer.
Following a round of community consultation in September 2011 some modifications have been made to the design as follows:
View plan of ground floor (169kb)
Other changes include:
- kitchen relocated to the eastern end of the building in response to concerns about cultural sensitivity around its original location. Will also give better access for loading and unloading from the carpark
- a refinement in the number of fixtures in the change and toilet areas
- glass doors and windows incorporated on the eastern end of the community centre to provide better connection with the car park and park and let more natural light in
- options are also being looked at to protect the glass when sporting events are held in the hall.
View plan of first floor (72kb)
On the first floor three activity rooms of 40, 60 and 80 square metres have been redesigned to be two rooms of 120 and 80 square metres.
Additional toilets have also been included for those using the adjacent meeting rooms.
Other features
On the exterior, an artist-designed pair of sunscreen elements being developed in collaboration with the architect by artist Chiara Corbelletto. These elements help moderate building temperature and to provide an interesting dynamic face to the street.
An extended canopy has been incorporated to allow connection to the existing park.
Roof modified to accommodate extractor fans for the community centre and to provide a profile to the Te Atatu skyline and the chimneys have been deleted from the roof.