Awarded the prestigious New Zealand Registered Master Builders' Federation Supreme Award for Commercial Project of the Year 2003.

This 20,000m² building, completed in 2001, set a new standard for such facilities in New Zealand. It houses the university's main library collections and is the focal point for student study on campus.

The building is heavily serviced with data network and a fully automated centrally controlled HVAC system. The structure of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete presented a number of construction challenges with limited site room around existing buildings, and the need to preserve and incorporate a section of the existing three-level library structure. Most concrete finishes, including floor soffits, were exposed and high finish levels were specified throughout. Other finishes specified by the American architects, Hardy Holtzman Pheiffer, were boldly detailed with conventional materials often used in an unconventional way. Finishing details often required work to proceed in reverse of the usual order.