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La Trobe University Bendigo Library
La Trobe University Bendigo Library
Bendigo, Australia
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La Trobe University Bendigo Library
Bendigo, Australia
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2020
SIZE
25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft
BUDGET
$1M - 5M
The interior design for La Trobe University’s Bendigo library explores the range of experiences the physical library might offer, and how might these evolve and change over time. It also considers the way in which the library might foster engagement, not only between campuses, but also more broadly with industry and the surrounding community.
The design framework is based on minimal intervention, a clear hierarchy of investment and a consistent design language throughout. The existing shell had potential to act as a backdrop for the activities of the library and we celebrated the inherent qualities of this space, as well as providing the base infrastructure required to provide upmost flexibility and functionality.
The library typology has changed tremendously over the past five years. We worked closely with the leadership group of the library to create an interior that supported a conceptual shift from ‘collection’ to ‘connection.’ Fundamentally, this project involved the reworking of an existing shell to create a new library for the community of La Trobe University, Bendigo.
The interior design for La Trobe University’s Bendigo library explores the range of experiences the physical library might offer, and how these might evolve and change over time. It also considers the way in which the library might foster engagement, not only between campuses, but also more broadly with industry and the surrounding community.
Spread across three levels, the scope included an entry gallery, consultation rooms, ASK La Trobe information pods, postgraduate lounge, board room and integrated display of the seminal ‘Sandhurst’ book collection (the main book collection is elsewhere in the building). Extensive consultation occurred with library staff and students to understand their aspirations for the space and this significantly informed the design.
Working within an existing shell is always highly challenging. The project budget was extremely constrained for a fit out of this nature and scale, and a clear hierarchy of investment needed to be established to deliver the functional aspects of the project without detracting from the overall concept.
Rather than seeing this as a problem, we saw this as an opportunity to leave parts of the interior undefined and full of possibility, suggestive of a future imbued with optimism. Our aesthetic approach was to leave key elements, such as the existing ceiling infrastructure and vermiculite coated steel structure, untouched and unadorned. The new architectural interventions were treated as installations clearly distinguishable from the shell, with autonomous objects separated from the ceiling and floating from the floor.
The design framework is based on minimal intervention, a clear hierarchy of investment and a consistent design language throughout. The existing shell had potential to act as a backdrop for the activities of the library and we celebrated the inherent qualities of this space, as well as providing the base infrastructure required to provide upmost flexibility and functionality.
The library typology has changed tremendously over the past five years. We worked closely with the leadership group of the library to create an interior that supported a conceptual shift from ‘collection’ to ‘connection.’ Fundamentally, this project involved the reworking of an existing shell to create a new library for the community of La Trobe University, Bendigo.
The interior design for La Trobe University’s Bendigo library explores the range of experiences the physical library might offer, and how these might evolve and change over time. It also considers the way in which the library might foster engagement, not only between campuses, but also more broadly with industry and the surrounding community.
Spread across three levels, the scope included an entry gallery, consultation rooms, ASK La Trobe information pods, postgraduate lounge, board room and integrated display of the seminal ‘Sandhurst’ book collection (the main book collection is elsewhere in the building). Extensive consultation occurred with library staff and students to understand their aspirations for the space and this significantly informed the design.
Working within an existing shell is always highly challenging. The project budget was extremely constrained for a fit out of this nature and scale, and a clear hierarchy of investment needed to be established to deliver the functional aspects of the project without detracting from the overall concept.
Rather than seeing this as a problem, we saw this as an opportunity to leave parts of the interior undefined and full of possibility, suggestive of a future imbued with optimism. Our aesthetic approach was to leave key elements, such as the existing ceiling infrastructure and vermiculite coated steel structure, untouched and unadorned. The new architectural interventions were treated as installations clearly distinguishable from the shell, with autonomous objects separated from the ceiling and floating from the floor.
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