Copenhagen, Denmark – The design of the New Central Library in Christchurch, New Zealand, has been developed by schmidt hammer lassen architects and New Zealand based Architectus. The new library, which will be up to 12,000 square metres, is one of the anchor projects in the Recovery Plan for the city of Christchurch after the damaging earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

The New Central Library will be the flagship of the Christchurch library network and provide an important civic function as a social gathering point in the rebuilt city. It will provide easy access to digital technologies and local heritage collections. There will be exhibition and performance spaces, a learning centre, spaces to relax – indoors and outdoors – and activities to entertain and educate young people.