12 | New community space for Lower Hutt The Moerā Neighbourhood Hub offers a vibrant community space for locals to connect. T T from page 10 Hutt City Council: Moerā Neighbourhood Hub “We said what if we just walk away from this building, and build a brand-new building: modern, fully insulated, energy efficient, with a much more useable layout and the flexible space which the community really wants.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT After several tries to strip back and re-price the job to make the repairs affordable on something that was no longer fit for purpose, the library staff came up with a comprehensive Plan B. “We said what if we just walk away from this building, which has reached the end of its life, and build a brand-new building: modern, fully insulated, energy efficient, with a much more useable layout and the flexible space which the community really wants. In the end it was cheaper than doing up the old building, even though it’s 30% bigger,” says Joann. They gathered support from community stakeholders and gained approval from the council, then went out to the market with a concept that included the need for the new building to be relocatable: future-proofing against any potential road corridor connecting the eastern and western sides of the Hutt Valley that might one day eventuate. Changing tack meant they could also take environmental factors into account while minimising running costs. Joann worked closely with Mike Evans from Design Group Stapleton Elliot and they found a local company that was a good fit for what they needed. Petone’s Niche Modular Construction built the Moerā Neighbourhood Hub off-site in a fully controlled environment, using innovative building methods with sustainability and cost efficiencies central to their work. Working with local Māori artist, Chevron Hassett, they customised the entire east wall with punched metal panels, integrating the cultural narrative provided by Mana Whenua through the kākano (seed) motif reflecting the site’s historical importance as a māra kai (food garden). It’s a carefully thought-out and designed space, which takes into account the different demographics of the various groups that use it most. It has places to sit and to read, tables to work at, programmed activities, especially in the school holidays, and services tailored to different needs, including digital literacy programmes designed to help anyone without internet connectivity at home, whatever their age. Built to reflect a community’s desires in line with today’s best practice, the Moerā Neighbourhood Hub offers a vibrant community space for locals to connect, learn and play for another 40 years and more. BMF NZ Ltd are authorised distributors for KeeKlamp and FastClamp We supply components for handrails, guardrails, safety gates and more! Please visit www.selectfit.co.nz or call us on 04 213 8960 for more information. • Building Compliance Services • Consulting and Programme Management • Fire Alarm and Sprinkler Inspections and Surveys “Being better at being the best” NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIER COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT COMPANY Contact ARGEST for all building compliance needs 0800 ARGEST | www.argest.com
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