Cambridge Library and council service centre
Antanas Procuta
A Cambridge architect whose work features in several houses and buildings around the town has won the contract to provide a concept of what a new library might look like.
Antanas Procuta and his Hamilton-based firm Paua Architects will undertake a feasibility study using the $250,000 Waipā District Council secured from the government’s Better Off Fund.
Paua’s work in the town includes the Cambridge Police Station, Papillon Townhouse, Pencarrow House, St Peter’s Church, Le Quesnoy Place and Cambridge Park.
Procuta is a Cambridge Town Hall trustee charged with activating the venue into a community hub in the heart of the town and is also on Waipā District Council’s heritage committee.
The council said in a statement the feasibility study would begin immediately and provide “necessary up-front thinking” before any investment decisions were made.
Cambridge Community Board has identified a new library as its top priority and recently captured more than 500 responses to a four-month survey it ran.
Jo Davies-Colley
Chair Jo Davies-Colley said the board was not involved in the selection of Paua Architects but was thrilled with the choice.
“Just looking at their work around Cambridge – we’re sure that whatever they come up with will be in keeping with that particular look which fits into our town.
“We want it to be a place where everyone feels welcome.”
Davies-Colley said if it was built on a new site – it is currently based at the council’s service centre in Wilson Street – it would need to be central.
“We’d like as Cambridge stretches further that (the library) remains in the CBD.”
Libraries have undergone a mini boom worldwide since the pandemic, something which did not surprise her.
“People like to come back to those communal places, be in their village, in their comfortable space.”
That is why the board pushed for the removal of library book fines, said Davies-Colley.
Antanas Procuta was the architect for Le Quesnoy Place.
Cambridge Library
Cambridge Police Station
