Libraries are an essential and enduring building type that have the capacity to strengthen neighbourhoods and communities. They provide a democratic framework for knowledge exchange – bringing people together in pursuit of knowledge. The Library, as a key architectural piece in the new Victoria Harbour master plan contributes to urban generation and good civic outcomes.
Designed on a heritage listed wharf the Library is a three storey lightweight timber building sitting atop the wharf structure. Its placement avoids cutting into the original concrete beams below the deck minimising its impact on the existing fabric of the wharf. CLT (cross laminated timber) technology is used for the upper floor slabs, roof, columns, beams and core wall construction. The height and placement of the building directly responds to wind mitigation strategies to protect the new public space, Dock Square and reduce the effects of down wash from surrounding towers.
The Library is designed to offer 24 hour public access, multi-modal information, creative use of knowledge, and engagement with its context. As well as a traditional library collection, the library and community centre offers an interactive learning environment and a state-of-the-art digital collection, multi-purpose community spaces and a performance venue that holds 120 people. Connections to Docklands’ maritime and Aboriginal heritage is embraced and celebrated with facilities to support local historical research and educational experiences.
Environmental achievements include carbon neutrality and optimised passive environmental systems. The Library has become Australia’s first 6 star GreenStar public building. The design seeks to moderate the place-less world of electronic data by fostering comfort, identity and engagement.
Fact Sheet
-Constructed primarily from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and recycled hard wood
-Six-star green star rating under the public buildings pilot tool from the Green Building Council of Australia.
-The building includes passive ventilation, a third floor indoor / outdoor room with operable façade and roof 85kw solar panels on the roof, water harvesting and natural lighting.
-Solar panels on the roof supply approximately 30 per cent of the building’s total operational power.
-L1 features a natural ventilation system backed up with mechanical operable louvres on all four sides – to be opened in favourable conditions
-The mechanical systems generally comprise VRV ducted fan coil units serving all levels with condensers at roof level, and roof top mounted reverse cycle packaged air cooled AC units with heat recovery providing outside air to all levels.
-Heating is provided by in-slab heating for Level 1 and via the VRV units for levels 2 and 3.
-Water is collected from the roof and transported to a 55,000 litre tank in Victoria Green (nearby park) to reuse for flushing toilets
-The building features natural daylighting and ventilation
-Central skylights bring light to the centre of the plan on 3 levels and act as ventilation chimneys through stack effect
-Low VOC and formaldehyde materials to ensure a high quality indoor environment
-All furniture and fit out selections contribute to the six-star Greenstar rating achieved
About the building
- The library maximises views from the park through to the water and vice versa
- It is constructed 8m from the water’s edge
- Using CLT construction saved 30% in construction weight to assist in preserving the integrity of the 75 year old heritage wharf
- The Library columns and beams are Glulam, upper floors and roof slabs are CLT instead of concrete. Structural walls are CLT.
- The Glulam and CLT was manufactured in less than one week (in Austria) by Stora Enso
- The Glulam and CLT arrived from the manufacturers packed into 21 shipping containers containing 1600 parcels
- There was 574 cubic metres of European Spruce CLT, and 140 cubic metres of Glulam 55,000 screws, 110,000 nails and nearly eight tonnes of brackets
- The structure went up in 60 days with a crew of six carpenters
- Minimal on-site storage was needed - Received panels just in time, delivered as needed as per construction sequence
- Safety in construction - there were no lost time injuries in over 12 months on site
- The nine tonne stair was constructed next to the building in two pieces and craned into place in less than one hour which provided further safety benefits.
- On level 3 an indoor / outdoor ‘winter garden’ features natural light and ventilation, artificial turf and operable walls and roof, beams and columns are recycled ironbark from an old Queensland wharf and bridge
- Façade - recycled tallowwood and ironbark rain screen
- Hydraulic heating is laid in the ground floor concrete waffle slab
