IMAGE
Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
- Date
- ca 1973-1986
- By
- Jones, Michael, active 1970s-2003; National Library of New Zealand
- Reference
- PAColl-1937
- Description
Collection comprises photographs by Michael Jones, G Simpson, and unidentified photographer(s) relating to the construction of the National Library of New Zealand building on corner of Molesworth and Aiken Street, Thorndon, Wellington, taken between circa 1973 and 1986.
Photographs document various stages in the project, including site excavation, preparation, foundation work, building construction, interior work, and the completed building. Includes photographs of library buildings in Scotland, Berlin, Stocklholm, Poland, and United States,
Includes photographs relating to the construction of the Court of Appeal building on the opposite corner of Molesworth and Aiken Street, taken in 1976.
Title supplied by Library.
The National Library of New Zealand building was designed by Ministry of Works architect Peter Boyes in the brutalist style. Construction on the building began in 1974, but was suspended between 1976 and 1981. The building was completed and officially opened in August 1987. Michael Jones worked as Manager of Property Resources for National Library of New Zealand.
The nearby Court of Appeal building was constructed by the Ministry of Works under Peter Boyes and Rod Cook; it opened in 1980.
Quantity: 4 album(s). 19 colour original photographic print(s). 31 b&w original photographic print(s). 5 colour original transparency/ies 4 x 5 inches. 4 colour original negative(s). 158 colour original transparency/ies 35mm slides. 1 videocassette(s).
Processing information: Collection description enhanced in July 2022.
Not all names are indexed.
- Additional description
Some photographic formats require staff assistance to access.
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material - No permission is required to access this collection.
- Format
- 4 album(s), 19 colour original photographic print(s), 31 b&w original photographic print(s), 5 colour original transparency/ies 4 x 5 inches, 4 colour original negative(s), 158 colour original transparency/ies 35mm slides, 1 videocassette(s), Photographs
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Copyright
Unknown
National Library construction - site excavation and preparation
Date: June 1973 - December 1973
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA1-q-545
Description: Photographs taken by an unidentified photographer between June 1973 and December 1973 relating to the construction of the National Library of New Zealand building, Thorndon, Wellington. Photographs depict: various views of site excavation, retaining work on the excavation walls, installation of concrete, rain damage and site flooding, formwork and steel scaffolding for crane base, erection of the wind tower, testing work by Ministry of Works workshop staff using the Franki pile piling unit, and the raft slab and the buttress walls covered in reinforcing steel. Each photograph is accompanied by a typescript caption, and a handwritten date. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Photographs were arranged in chronological order by the compiler of the album. Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 43 black & white photographic prints. Physical Description: Red bound cover with "Photographs" in gilt text, 32.5 x 35.5 cm; each print is fixed to the page by photograph corners bearing a handwritten date of photography
Transparency of National Library building Wellington
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA12-0113
National Library staff viewing a presentation
Date: [ca 1986]
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: 1/2-239610-F
Description: Colour negative of National Library staff members viewing a presentation, taken by an unidentifed photographer circa 1986. Shows three staff members viewing a presentation given by a fourth staff member standing next to a projection screen. One staff member holds a "Kiwinet" folder and there is a "multi modem" on the table nearby. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) 1/2 plate film negative, approximately 10 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches). Transfers: Print available at PAColl-1937-1.
National Library staff at dumb computer terminals
Date: [ca 1986]
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: 1/2-239609-F
Description: Colour negative of National Library staff at dumb computer terminals, taken by an unidentifed photographer circa 1986. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) 1/2 plate film negative, approximately 10 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches). Transfers: Print available at PAColl-1937-1.
National Library entrance foyer
Date: [ca 1986]
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: 1/2-239608-F
Description: Colour negative of the National Library entrance foyer, taken by an unidentifed photographer circa 1986. Shows the enquiries desk, bookshop and bag deposit area. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) 1/2 plate film negative, approximately 10 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches).
National Library reading room desk
Date: [ca 1986]
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: 1/2-239607-F
Description: Colour negative of the National Library reading room desk, taken by an unidentifed photographer circa 1986. Shows National Library staff at the desk. A sign above the desk reads "2 Alexander Turnbull Library, Pictorial Reference Service, Enquiries". Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) 1/2 plate film negative, approximately 10 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches).
National Library stage one photographic record volume two
Date: September to November 1975, 16 August 1981, and 1 September 1981
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA1-q-543
Description: Photograph album containing 155 black and white prints of the construction of the National Library building in Wellington, taken by an unidentfied photographer between September and November 1975, and on 16 August 1981, and 1 September 1981. Includes photographs of the site in various stages of excavation and preparation, and a number of panoramic views consisting of multiple prints taped together. Some album pages are annotated with a date. Title transcribed from item. Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 155 black and white photographic prints. Physical Description: Homemade spiral bound album with card cover, 29.5 x 22 cm
National Library and Court of Appeal construction
Date: 1975-1976
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA1-q-544
Description: Photograph album containing photographs taken by an unidentified photographer between 1975 and 1976 relating to the Ministry of Works construction of the National Library of New Zealand building and the Court of Appeal building on opposite corners at the intersection of Molesworth Street and Aitken Street,Thorndon, Wellington. One set of photographs of the National Library construction taken between April and June 1976 depict: various views of the National Library building foundations under construction, entrances to the site, reinforcing steel in foundation walls and slab, concrete foundation beams, Welcon trucks and drivers at work excavating the site, copper pipes and drains connected to a sump, welds and beams, "Terry the foreman" on a concrete truck, and high angle views of the foundations taken from the Ferguson Building, One set of photographs of the Court of Appeal construction taken between March 1975 and September 1976 depict: the site frontage on Molesworth Street including the fish and chips shop and the "C Haynes" building taken 26 February 1976, site frontage on Aiken Street including "ASRS" building and an old house with sign "Central Division of the National Library", high angle view of site taken from Vogel Building, the demolished ASRS building, excavation of the site, concrete basement walls, core walls, steel over core doorways used for earthquake resistance, recast concrete cladding, ground floor, and service tunnel and foundations of nearby Vogel Building. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption handwritten in chinagraph pencil which describes the site location of the view and/or the stage of construction, many captions appear to relate to site or building plan specifications. Some album pages are annotated with a date. Includes a loose page from an appointment diary bearing nine black and white photographs showing foundations work on National Library site, including the pile cage, basement slab, buttress walls, beams, and grid. Page is date stamped "Mar 1976 and "8 Mar 1975". Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 92 black & white photographic prints. Physical Description: Black bound cover with "Photographs" in gilt text, 32.5 x 35.5 cm; each print is pasted on the page; front cover bears a plastic embossed printed label reading " D A Cunningham"
National Library stage one photographic record volume one
Date: September 1974 to May 1975
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA1-q-542
Description: Photograph album containing 106 black and white prints of the construction of the National Library building in Wellington, taken by an unidentified photographer between September 1974 and May 1975. Includes photographs of buildings on the site "to be demolished", the National Library site in various stages of excavation and preparation, and surrounding buildings and streets including Pipitea Street and Molesworth Street. Some album pages are annotated with a date and description of the photograph. Title transcribed from item. Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 106 black and white photographic prints. Physical Description: Homemade spiral bound album with card cover, 29.5 x 22 cm
Slides of library buildings outside New Zealand :Stockholm, Poland, Broward County
From: Jones, Michael: Albums and photographs of the construction of the National Library Building in Wellington
Reference: PA12-0108