Dunedin City Library re-roof

The early-1980’s roof at Dunedin City Library was at the end of its serviceable life, with the loose-lay terracotta tiles over butynol roofing system leaking every time it rained.

Naylor Love joined the design team under an ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) arrangement and were instrumental in coming up with the solution, a hot-welded loose lay Sika Sarnafil multi-layer, synthetic roof waterproofing sheet system with concrete pavers and river stones as final architectural ballast. We also replaced the aging metal roofs on the building, re-painted sections of roof and installed handrails for safer maintenance access.

The library stayed open as we worked under a series of scaffold tents, managing noise issues with proactive communication and by carefully observing set drilling times. Getting material on and off the six-storey building, located right in the town centre, was quite a challenge, solved with ingenuity and a series of crane lifts and trolleys.

This re-roofing project, delivered to a lump sum fixed price, has extended the life of a key public facility, keeping both the books and the library patrons dry.