Victoria University of Wellington Campus Hub & Library
By Architectus
This project looks to align existing library facilities with international best practice and integrate them into the new Hub to create a heart for the Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus.
The Campus Hub and Library project responds to the changing pedagogical environment of today, new trends for maintaining and disseminating knowledge, as well as students’ increased expectations of social and recreational amenities on campus. Learning and social functions are no longer separate and as such the project seeks to shift the boundaries between secure and non-secure elements of the library and create a greater overlap with the social learning and recreational functions of the Hub.
Within the wider context the project addresses the need for a ‘front door’ and improved campus interface with Kelburn Parade and a more legible circulation network within the overall campus.
Key responsibilities of the design team led by Athfield / Architectus have been to:
- develop an Urban Design strategy that addressed key campus-wide design goals identified in the existing ‘Campus Development Frame Work’ and ‘Master Strategy Report’
- establish a Briefing Document including analysis of functional requirements against International Library Space Planning Standards and selected NZ University Statistics
- develop and deliver a design concept for the Campus Hub and Library Upgrade including the central outdoor space.
Design Partner:
Athfield Architects
Location:
Wellington
Completion:
2013
Products used in
Victoria University of Wellington Campus Hub & Library
Professionals used in
Victoria University of Wellington Campus Hub & Library
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Architectus
About the
Professional
Architectus is an architecture and urbanism practice designing places and spaces tuned to their communities, context and culture. Advocates for integrated design, we apply a rigorous and tailored approach to create environments that are inspiring and enduring.
For over 30 years, we have been realising innovative and bespoke projects around Aotearoa New Zealand, shaping precincts and campuses with people and sustainability at their heart. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, we have had many successful joint ventures with local and international partners, and we enjoy a strong relationship with our associated studios in Australia.
Our Purpose
We believe architecture begins with a social agenda. It must nurture and grow communities and individuals, and enhance its neighbourhood and city. Appropriate, efficient and elegant architecture for today becomes the urban fabric of the future – we design for this longevity, to create places that will serve generations to come.
Design Philosophy
While a good project must firstly solve practical needs and be viable, a truly great project must embody a community’s broader cultural context: its urban and architectural setting, its local geography and ecology, and the stories of its people. The more meaningful a place becomes through a true sense of belonging, the greater the value and longevity it has for its community.
We believe placemaking in Aotearoa is grounded in a bicultural creative process. We partner with mana whenua to embed their aspirations and cultural narratives across functional, ceremonial, spatial and artistic dimensions.
Underpinning these human stories is our responsibility to be judicious with natural resources. Environmentally sensitive architecture requires us to be energy-efficient and space-efficient, and to use low-carbon materials and ethically sourced products.
This is a holistic approach that embeds our practice in a continuum of artistic and technical progress, so the architecture we are responsible for will be relevant for decades to come.