Dunedin Library Interior wins Architectural Award

Dunedin Public Library’s Teenspace has won an Institute of Architects' Interior Architecture award.

Teenspace, which opened in May 2008, features black and white checkered flooring, multi-coloured beanbags and wall decorations that include old road signs and comic- book characters.

The jurors for the Institute’s Southern Architecture Awards described the space, which was designed by the Dunedin City Council’s architecture and urban design unit, as one that turns traditional library design on its head.

"A chaotic interior environment uses a strong conceptual basis to appeal to youth. It strips a fantastic piece of brutalist architecture back to its bones and adds layers of riotous colour and texture. The result is raw, fun and comfortable.”

Jury convenor, Auckland architect Anna-Marie Chin, said that Teenspace provided spaces within spaces, and was accessible and totally appropriate.

“The fact we were there early in the day and there were already young people there reading illustrates how successful it is.”

She said the jurors were impressed by the fact that the area was fitted out on a low budget, using second hand furniture and recycled materials.

“Even the light fittings are recycled and it has a real retro look.”