The National Library building

I've come to love the solid civic-ness of the National Library building. Perched on a corner on the slope of Molesworth St, its brutalist, cast-concrete looms out in distinctive shape and texture unlike anything else around town. Designed between 1971-75 and opened in 1987, the upper structure comprises angled blocks that interlock around three levels in a subtlely-shifting geometric pattern. The upper levels taper down and in before being undercut by an entrance level that rests on a podium base of charcoal grey textured concrete. From a distance, it reminds me of an inverted pyramid plunged into slab of a granite. A fortress-like treasure house for protecting books and other taonga from the elements.

Plans were afoot in 2008-09 to vandalise the exterior and replace it with sheets of glass, a misguided attempt to modernise in theme-park fashion in the hope of attracting foot traffic. Fortunately, that ill-advised project was rescinded on grounds of excessive cost. It would have been a pointless and expensive mistake. Sadly, the relevant Cabinet paper, released on the Library's website shows that the government was not even advised of the heritage value or architectural merits of this purpose-designed building. Nevertheless, it looks like the scaled-back refurbishment will keep the exterior intact. We'll be able to enjoy this remarkable-looking building for some time to come yet.