danish architecture firm schmidt hammer lassen has completed t?ranga, a new, earthquake-resistant library in christchurch, new zealand. located at the center of the earthquake-damaged city?s redevelopment, the five-story building provides a 9,500 sqm public space that strengthens the local community and aims at drawing people back to the historic city center.
photos by adam mørk
 
 
over the course of 15 months in 2010 and 2011, christchurch, the largest city of new zealand?s south island, was devastated by four major earthquakes that toppled a city known for its arts, culture, and surrounding natural beauty. schmidt hammer lassen architects, together with collaborating firm architectus, have developed the new central library as a symbol of hope, unity, and rebirth, while thanks to an integrated, self-centering mechanism that allows the building to sway and then return to its original position, t?ranga can sustain minimal structural damage during a large earthquake.
 
 
early in the design process, the architects collaborated with the matapopore charitable trust, an organization that ensures that the values, aspirations and narratives of the local ng?i t??huriri people are realized throughout the recovery of christchurch. the cultural representation in the library is first evident in the golden veil that cloaks the building in a striking, graphic façade, which intensifies at sunset with the day?s last rays. the vacillating form of the façade references the surrou...