Auahatanga – Creative Spaces: Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Ideas come to life at the library
Step into a world of possibilities at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre's Auahatanga Creative Space — where cutting-edge technology meets your inspiration.
Our welcoming environment invites you to:
- Experiment with state-of-the-art digital tools at your own pace
- Connect with our knowledgeable team for project guidance and inspiration
- Uncover creative possibilities you never imagined were within reach
Book a Creative Skills 1-to-1 Session
The best starting point if you have no prior experience with the technology you want to use. Book a session with a member of the library team to support you with your creative project, or to access equipment that requires staff supervision like 3D printers or vinyl printing/cutting.
Drop in during our open hours
Come to a creative time session to continue work on your project, ask questions about the equipment available and self-directed learning pathways, and have supervised access and assistance to creative technologies.
Events
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Self-directed learning and access
The Auahatanga Creative Space is open to the public for self-directed use of the following equipment during library hours:
Computer Lab
The computer lab is used for GCSN school programmes, public bookings or can be accessed by visitors when not booked for programmes and events. Auahatanga computers have an assortment of creative design software available.
3D Printing
You can design and print 3D designs at Christchurch City Libraries. We have several 3D printers that can be used to make small objects out of plastic.
There are three Prusa i3 MK3S 3D printers at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
DTG Direct to Garment Printing
A direct to garment printer allows a digital image to be printed directly onto white or cream coloured fabric only, like t-shirts, wall hangings, tote bags, and more.
There is a Roland BT-12 available at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
Vinyl Printing and Cutting
The vinyl printer and cutter is a large format inkjet printer that can be used to print graphics and types of vinyl media.
There is a Roland BN-20 vinyl printer available at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
Badge maker
A badge maker allows you to make custom wearable button badges. The badge design can be hand-drawn or designed on a computer using software such as Inkscape, Affinity Designer, or Adobe Illustrator.
There is a Alond Galaxy 4N Badge Machine at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
Sewing machines and overlockers
Construct your own projects from fabric using our sewing machines and overlockers.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre has a sewing machine and an overlocker.
Heat Press
A heat press is a large type commercial iron. It has controls for pre-set temperature, time and pressure, making it ideal for the application of heat transfer vinyl to fabric, garments (such as T-shirts) and other media.
There is a Cugi heat press at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
Photo, Slide and Film Scanner
A photo scanner is a device that scans media and creates a high-quality digital file. Our photo scanners can scan a variety of physical media formats to digital files.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre has an Epson Perfection V600 scanner.
Craft Cutter
A Cameo 4 cutter contains a very sharp blade that is controlled by a computer. The blade can move precisely to cut shapes out of materials such as paper, card, adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, sticker paper, or sublimation paper / invisible ink paper.
There is a Silhouette Cameo 4 desktop cutting machine at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
