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For the rest of the semester, students will concentrate on designing a community library within an urban infill site. The design of the building is to consist of appropriate architectural responses that address the aspects of the urban street context and user behavioural patterns as discerned and analysed in the Preliminary Studies.

Apart from developing an appropriate formal and elevational strategy in response to the character of the street, the design should take into consideration a holistic application of structural, spatial, functional and environmental requirements to address the user needs for a community library. The design development of this project will include an introduction to the legislative restrictions that impact an architectural scheme, the integration of lighting and acoustic design, as well as the design exploration and detailing of the façade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.

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The objectives of this assignment are as follows:

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1. To take into consideration key aspects of urban design and context in relation to architecture

2. To develop an awareness and basic compliance to Design Codes and Statutory Requirements

3. To emphasize the importance of elevational context and composition in developing architectural design

4. To implement and explore the conceptual, schematic and design development phases in an architectural design project

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Learning Outcomes  of this Project

 

1. Produce a design outcome for a community library that is site-specific through its formal, cultural, legislative, structural and environmental design responses.

2. Apply basic knowledge of urban architectural typologies, infill design strategies, and community library  programming

3. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and awareness of local design codes and regulations

4. Design within the constraints of feasibility and in response to basic design codes and statutory requirements

5. Utilise study models, diagramming, mapping, orthographic plan-section and elevational studies to explore and resolve relevant spatial, structural, functional and environmental issues in the design development phase

6. Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), models and presentations to verbally and visually communicate architectural ideas and scheme.

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Project Requirements and Design Stages, Objectives and Outcomes

 

The new community library will be a vibrant and interesting place for the whole community, welcoming people of all ages and all backgrounds. The role of the library as a focus for community interaction

.It will be a focus for a variety of cultural, learning and recreational opportunities.

 •             an inspiring and inviting library building

•              a focal point for the community, generating a feeling of ownership on the part of its users

 

The new Library building will meet community needs in a number of ways:

 

•              more reader places and more computers to meet growing demand

•              a better displayed and housed collection

•              improved accessibility

•              better facilities for target groups (e.g. young adults)

•              a showcase for historical resources of the local government area,

•              quiet study areas

•              a small meeting room which can be used for a variety of purposes

•              a multifunction space for a range of activities including travelling exhibitions, children’s storytelling and activities, meetings of specialist groups.

 

The following list illustrates the variety of activities which will occur in the Library:

 

•              a broad range of library resources, print, non-print and electronic

•              a reference collection

•              computers for public use, including access to the library service’s catalogue

•              a photocopier which also prints and scans

•              a facsimile service

•              a small local history collection, with current and historical information relating to the context

•              a children’s area

•              study areas and informal reading

•              young adult space

•              community information

•              a multifunction space which can be easily adapted for travelling exhibitions, locally-sourced displays, children’s storytelling and activities, computer training and presentations

•              sale of secondhand books, library bags and Council publications

•              an outdoor  multi purpose area, including seating

•              public toilets

 

All areas of the Library must be safe and accessible for all potential users, regardless of any physical or other disability. This will influence the design of every part of the building, from convenient parking spaces for people with disabilities and barrier-free access to the entrance, right down to the appropriate height and stability of furniture and equipment.

 

The scheme for the community library should strictly span a total floor area of between 1800m2 -2000m2 , and comprise between 3-5 storeys only within its infill lot.

 

Sufficient floor area must be allocated for the design of a public realm, circulation and ancillary functions reading, discussion) that is required for a community library of this scale and type.

Following are the space allocation within the proposal

Library (reading, discussion etc)     60%

Urban Realm                                 20%

Services and circulation                 20%