South Dunedin Library fitout

With the base build of a new two-level commercial building in King Edward Street complete, we went on to fit out the ground floor as South Dunedin Library & Community Complex – Te Whata o Kaituna. The facility includes a library, council service centre, meeting rooms, a recording studio and a makerspace, plus outdoor garden and seating areas.

Dunedin City Council engaged Naylor Love on an ECI basis, allowing us to contribute from the early design phase. Our early involvement ensured that buildability and value engineering didn’t compromise the design intent. Planning around the cultural narrative was also a key part of our ECI work, involving mock-ups and samples to test materials and finishes.

Multiple products were carefully woven into the interior design. This required close coordination between the client, architect, suppliers and Mana Whenua-owned consultancy Aukaha. The intricate details, particularly for the Autex and Decortech panelling, demanded precise on-site layouts and the careful integration of LED lighting to achieve the stunning result.

We achieved a waste diversion rate of over 75%, exceeding our target. This was made possible through strong subcontractor engagement and a well-managed waste separation process, with the right bins available at the right time in the right places.

The collaborative approach between DCC, the design team and Naylor Love ensured that the design intent, cultural narrative and practical buildability were successfully balanced, helping to deliver a project that is both meaningful and technically well-resolved.