Bendigo Library in Victoria, Australia by MGS Architects

Article source: MGS Architects 

Since its opening in 1984, Bendigo Library has proved both popular and successful, welcoming almost 500,000 users through its doors each year and providing membership services to 40,000 people.

Adjacent to the stately Bendigo Town Hall, and positioned at the gateway to the Hargreaves Mall shopping precinct, the building is ideally placed to embody the principles of access and communication, which are so important to a confident, caring community.

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

• Architects: MGS Architects
• Project: Bendigo Library
• Location: Victoria, Australia
• Photography: Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Directors Eli Giannini and Joshua Wheeler led the project team at MGS Architects. Joshua Wheeler explains how the need for expanded community uses, combined with the intention to activate the site in relation to its central city location, informed the design of a building where formal and informal spaces must interact.

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

“The building redevelopment was primarily focused on delivering a new library that offers the opportunity to engage and provide a leadership role in community strengthening, rather than being only a book depository”, Mr Wheeler says.

“The Bendigo Library redevelopment integrates the library with various community services plus office spaces, to create an urban hub that enhances the town centre.”

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

The new design redistributes community-use programs throughout the entire building, including formal activity rooms in an after-hours-access zone, well-equipped with audio-visual capacity, wet areas for catered functions and ample storage space. Meeting rooms as well as IT and lounge areas can be found throughout the building on both the ground floor and first floor, to encourage interaction between user groups.

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Traditionally, it was up to library staff to help people navigate their way through these spaces and collection areas; in the new generation Library the architecture itself assists users to find their way. Where once a single entrance led to static areas, each seeming discrete and unconnected, now the building’s spaces flow, linked by an internal street. Vistas open onto areas within, inviting people to explore and participate.

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

This internal street connects the two new entrances, allowing users to easily locate the collection, the café, the activity spaces, community lounges and children’s area. The laneway which runs off the internal street into the large central areas orientates people towards the wealth of information stored and accessible within this public treasure house.

“Our projects are recognised as delivering places for people,” Mr Wheeler says.

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

“We forge partnerships that find the brilliance within each project.

“MGS are proud to have successfully delivered high quality architectural and interior design outcomes forhe City of Greater Bendigo’s new library, and look forward to the redevelopments continued success.”

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © Latreille Delage Photography

Image Courtesy © MGS Architects

Image Courtesy © MGS Architects

Image Courtesy © MGS Architects

Tags: Australia, Victoria

Categories: Educational Center, Library

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