Projects | Te Matapihi Wellington Central Library, New Zealand

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Following Wellington Central Library's sudden closure in March 2019 due to earthquake safety risks identified after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, the Te Matapihi project represents an ambitious transformation addressing critical community need while pioneering innovative engineering solutions for heritage buildings in high-seismic zones.

This $217 million initiative demonstrates that cutting-edge engineering can honour the past while securing the future. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the decision was made to engineer a hybrid base isolation solution, which fundamentally transformed the building's seismic resilience.

The innovative approach dramatically enhances earthquake resilience and operational continuity while preserving critical heritage and architectural elements, meaning that Te Matapihi can continue to serve Wellington's community for the next 50-75 years.

Aurecon provided comprehensive structural engineering and building services design, working as part of an integrated design team that included Athfield Architects, Tihei Limited, RCP, and Rider Levett Bucknall.

The engineering challenge

The seismic strengthening of Te Matapihi presented multifaceted engineering challenges requiring innovative thinking and meticulous execution. The 1991 postmodern building needed to achieve over 100 per cent NBS compliance while preserving heritage fabric and maintaining its position as a functioning urban landmark. The original flexible structure required fundamental transformation into a rigid system capable of moving as a single unit on base isolation technology.

Our structural engineering team were confronted with significant spatial constraints within an occupied civic precinct with limited construction access. The solution required drilling 49 piles to depths of 21 meters, installing approximately 80 lead rubber bearings and slider base isolators, and creating an 800 mm seismic gap (the 'rattle zone') around the entire perimeter to allow unrestricted movement during seismic events.

Location

Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Wellington, New Zealand

Client

Wellington City Council

Partners

Athfield Architects, Tihei Limited, RCP, and Rider Levett Bucknall

Aurecon's Role

Structural engineering, building services engineering, environmentally sustainable design, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, facade engineering

Expertise

Precincts & City Shaping, Building Design, Bridges & Civil Structures, Sustainability & Climate Change, Energy Transition & Decarbonisation

Complete

2025

The seismic strengthening of Te Matapihi presented complex engineering challenges that required innovative solutions and careful execution.

The base isolation system incorporates isolators, allowing the entire building to move independently from ground motion.

Aurecon's innovative solution relocated piling operations to ground floor level (floor above), then selectively demolished floor sections to provide rig access.

Our strengthening solution was cleverly chosen such that it enabled the foundation, and isolation works to essentially be de-coupled from the works on the floors above.

This dramatic performance improvement was achieved through 24 lead-rubber bearings and 58 slider bearings that limit seismic forces transmitted to the superstructure.

An 800mm wide 'rattlezone' was constructed to seismically separate the entire building to move independently.

Our solution combining a hybrid base isolation system with new steel braced frames fundamentally altered the building's seismic response, increasing the buildings stiffness which reduced the scope of strengthening.

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The seismic strengthening of Te Matapihi presented complex engineering challenges that required innovative solutions and careful execution.

Base isolation innovation

Our structural engineering approach is centred on advanced base isolation technology combined with comprehensive building strengthening. We installed K-bracing steel frames throughout the structure, transforming the flexible building into a rigid system strengthened with Fibre Reinforced Polymer elements and structural steel.

The base isolation system incorporates approximately 80 isolators, allowing the entire building to move independently from ground motion, dramatically reducing seismic forces transmitted through the structure. The structural steel installation involved over 1,000 tonnes of material and 22,000 linear meters of on-site welding, executed with precision in constrained site conditions.

Sustainable building systems

Our building services design achieves a remarkable 56 per cent reduction in energy-use intensity and 65 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use compared to a standard practice buildings. The design includes fully electric heating, cooling, and ventilation systems using high-efficiency chillers and heat pumps, eliminating all combustion-based emissions.

This electrification strategy extends throughout the building, including the café cooking systems. High-performance envelope improvements include new insulation in all refurbished elements, warm roof systems, and ground floor slab insulation. The Level 3 and 4 extensions feature advanced facade design, minimising thermal bridging while maximising daylight penetration.

The potential to incorporate solar in the future is already in place. Water conservation strategies include efficient sanitary fixtures, drip sensor irrigation for native plantings, and elimination of water use in heat rejection processes.

Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library Victoria street entrance.

Climate resilience planning

With a view to the future, Te Matapihi’s design process included a comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Plan intended to address long-term environmental risks. Stormwater management systems are sized for RCP 8.5 climate projection scenarios, which allows capacity for extreme rainfall events. Critical building services in basement areas have been lifted onto plinths or relocated to higher floors, protecting essential systems from potential flooding.

Strategic elevation of the ground level by 600mm provides additional flood protection, while threshold channel drainage and pump stations enable rapid water ejection during extreme weather. Material selections prioritise coastal resilience and durability under changing environmental conditions.

The Central Library has been redesigned in partnership with mana whenua (Māori people of the land).

Collaboration with mana whenua

Te Matapihi’s journey included a co-design partnership between Athfield Architects and Tihei Limited, led by designer and artist Rangi Kipa. The partnership drew inspiration from the karakia ‘Ko Rangi ko Papa’, illustrating a mutually flourishing environmental reality for natural and human systems.

Many key elements of design link back to this cultural partnership, including the greatly increased use of natural light throughout the building, incorporation of a number of key design elements, and a recognition that te taiao, the natural environment, is central to the building’s design.

Environmental performance

Te Matapihi has achieved 5 Star – Green Star NZ Design and As-Built NZv1.0 Certified Built Rating. The retention and refurbishment strategy delivers a 28% reduction in upfront embodied carbon emissions compared to new construction. Across the complete building lifecycle, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 51% through a renovation approach, energy-efficient systems, and complete fossil fuel elimination.

A comprehensive Operational Waste Management Plan establishes ambitious landfill diversion targets supported by robust monitoring procedures and practical waste separation systems throughout the building, ensuring environmental benefits extend throughout operational life.

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 51% through renovation, energy-efficient systems, and complete fossil fuel elimination.

Legacy and impact

Te Matapihi has created a benchmark for resilient, sustainable refurbishment of civic infrastructure in seismic zones. The project establishes new standards for how heritage buildings in high-seismic regions can be transformed through innovative engineering rather than demolished.

When the building reopens to the public in March 2026, it will serve as Wellington's community ‘living room’, welcoming the 1.3 million annual visitors who used the facility before closure. Aurecon’s work showcases its capability to deliver complex heritage transformations that balance competing priorities: seismic resilience, sustainability performance, cultural authenticity, and fiscal responsibility.

The project deserves recognition for its innovative approach, delivering positive community, heritage, and environmental outcomes, demonstrating how engineering can transform seismic challenges into opportunities for enhanced resilience.

The engineering challenge

Base isolation innovation

Sustainable building systems

Climate resilience planning

Collaboration with mana whenua

Environmental performance

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 51% through renovation, energy-efficient systems, and complete fossil fuel elimination.

Legacy and impact

TAGS

We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.

The engineering challenge

Base isolation innovation

Sustainable building systems

Climate resilience planning

Collaboration with mana whenua

Environmental performance

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 51% through renovation, energy-efficient systems, and complete fossil fuel elimination.

Legacy and impact

TAGS

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We would love to work with you to bring your ideas to life, so get in touch and we'll get back to you.