South Christchurch Library & Service Centre by Warren and Mahoney
Citation
This new community centre sits in a park setting, providing a gentle civic presence. The architects have integrated its many requirements with intelligence and spirit. Particularly noteworthy is the use of a shallow moat to collect rain water, control thermal conditions and act as a security barrier, allowing outdoor balconies. The strength of this socially-orientated building lies in its direct functional simplicity and the clarity of spaces. The light-filled structure is elegantly expressed and features an effective use of colour inside. This is an outstanding example of what a public building should be.
