Having established a following in Wānaka, Architecture + Design Library (ADL) is soon to open its Dunedin hub.
What started as a response to a lack of resources has evolved into one of the most unique design hubs in New Zealand.
Architecture + Design Library (ADL) began when two independent interior designers in Wānaka had difficulty accessing reliable materials, product knowledge, and industry connections outside the major centres.
A practical way to share samples and information for their own projects could also serve as a collaborative hub for the wider design and construction community.
Separate from the founders’ own businesses, ADL is a shared space that all professionals in their industry can use.
ADL has grown into a hybrid space that combines an architectural sample library, co-working environment, and a meeting hub. It offers designers, architects, builders, and homeowners access to an extensive collection of interior and exterior materials, from flooring and cladding to tapware, roofing, joinery, and acoustic solutions.
As opposed to operating as a traditional retail outlet, ADL functions as a library that sells nothing but knowledge, allowing its members to source, borrow, and specify products while receiving guidance.
There is a small team that underpins the operation. The founders lead the vision alongside library managers in Wānaka and Dunedin, supported by a wider network of brand members and collaborators.
Residents run their independent businesses from ADL, and a directory of these members is available to the public when planning a project.
Having a community-driven structure is central to ADL’s identity, with its membership spanning architecture, interior design, building, landscaping, and specialised trades.
ADL connects homeowners and professionals with trusted suppliers and industry expertise. By giving people access to physical samples and informed advice, the library helps reduce decision fatigue, costly mistakes, and unnecessary waste – issues that remain common in the building and renovation process.
Education is a key part of the offering, supported through industry events, workshops, and the podcast Between the Walls, which explores design thinking and material selection.
Having established a strong following in Central Otago, ADL is currently fitting out a second location at 17 Wharf Street, marking the library’s arrival in Dunedin. The space will mirror the Wānaka model, offering public open days alongside memberships for professionals needing a base to meet clients, collaborate, or access material samples.
Guided by the values of connection, collaboration, and sustainability, ADL reimagines how people experience the design and building journey – making it more accessible, informed, and ultimately more enjoyable.
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