State Library Redevelopment

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

The redevelopment of the State Library provides South Australia with a state of the art community facility. The project has created an integrated information and communications technology centre that facilitates access to a vast collection of important public data. In addition to the public meeting and exhibition spaces contained within the centre, modern study environs have significantly improved the library for administrative staff and public alike. The design of the facility presents as coherent and resolved without diminishing the quality and integrity of the adjacent historic buildings. The redevelopment has attempted to balance the identity of each historic building component in the ensemble, allowing them to be more clearly seen in their original form. The Institute, Mortlock and Spence wings are for the first time, physically linked partly via a new glazed foyer/entry that has a primary address to North Terrace. Additionally redefining the spaces between the historic elements has created a new pedestrian thoroughfare to the historic core of the cultural precinct beyond. The disposition of the wall and roof elements of the new building allow for the extensive utilisation of daylight and the provision to the previously introspective environment. The upper level within the minimalist foyer space displays works of art based on interpreting ideas, concepts of place, communication, information and community spirit in our society. #2004 #architecture #Australia #awards #HASSELL #institute #library #MGT #Public_award #RAIA #redevelopment #state #VIC