Old Library Residence

The original Parnell Library built in the early 1920s was sold into private hands by Council to our clients, who approached us to turn it into a permanent home. The addition of a spacious apartment upstairs and a large garage area below was to be undertaken without any external visible signs of remodelling, in keeping with ACC Heritage Department and Historic Places Trust requirements. The design involved protracted discussions with these and other parties, as well as careful structural analysis to ensure that the building could meet modern standards. The result is a thoroughly modern private urban retreat hidden away inside a library building that acts not only as the client’s home but also as the base for their business operations. Externally there is little sign of this, but from inside the apartment offers extensive views over Auckland and the Harbour as well as a large outdoor living area above the old library hall.