The Devonport Library does not require designation to continue operating in its current location because it has existing use rights; however, no significant work can be done to upgrade the library without formal designation.
The designation application will include a preliminary design - a concept for the direction intended for the new library. The design is not final but some elements of it cannot be changed once designation is granted. Other elements may still be altered before detailed design is complete.
Which elements of the preliminary design cannot be changed following designation?
• Location of the entrance and exits
• The shape and height of the building
• The positioning of the building on Windsor Reserve
• The location of the community space, since this relates to the location of the entrance
Which elements of the design are still able to be changed after this stage?
• The exterior finish and look of the building, including design elements,
colour, materials and textures
• The internal layout, with the exception of the location of the community space
Why are we asking for your input now?
Construction of the redeveloped library is not due to take place until 2013/14 and more consultation will take place before decisions on final design are made (approximately 2011). This is an early opportunity for you to give feedback regarding elements of the preliminary design that cannot be changed after designation of the site is granted.
What are the implications of designating the current site for library purposes?
If council is successful in designating Windsor Reserve for library purposes, this will mean the library is permitted to be upgraded on the site in the future. Designation will also finalise certain elements of the preliminary design.
Alternative sites analysis
Extensive analysis of possible sites was carried out in 2008 to determine the best location for the Devonport Library. Twenty sites were considered and the analysis confirmed that the existing site in Windsor Reserve is the best option for the community library.
Among the sites considered were the Devonport Community House, Devonport ferry terminal, Jackson’s Museum, Victoria Theatre, local Council Chambers and Harmony Hall. Along with the Windsor Reserve location, sites were assessed against a range of criteria.
When deciding on the best library location the following criteria exemplify best practice:
• High visibility
• Accessibility for the greatest number of users
• A location with the potential to enhance the current level of service offered
• A town central location visited by all segments of the community being served on a daily basis, for recreational and business purposes
• A location offering full street frontage with a single level, flat street entrance
The existing location in Windsor Reserve met all of these criteria and more. Council has endorsed this view and has agreed to progress to designation of the site.
What is the preliminary design and why do we need it now?
It is a fair representation of the direction intended for the new library, which needs
to be included in the designation application. Some elements of this design cannot
be changed following designation. However, other elements are not final and
changes may be made as we move towards the final design.
Devonport Library from the South West perspective. Click here for larger image
Why does the library need upgrading?
Consultation with the Devonport community has identified strong support for a significant upgrade to both the library building and services.
Problems with the current building have been identified as follows:
• Current building standards identify the library as an earthquake risk and
significant seismic strengthening is required
• Significant upgrades are required to all electrical services, plumbing,
drainage, roofing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
• Insufficient space in collection areas
• Insufficient space for new technology
• Noise levels from children and other social interaction can disturb other users
• Insufficient study, quiet and reading or relaxation areas
• Insufficient space for library activities and events
• Limited flexibility of layout due to the building’s irregular configuration
• Outdated internal layout and fittings cannot easily incorporate modern library practice
• The building does not optimize its location by taking advantage of sea views
Devonport Library from the East perspective. Click here for larger image
The new library
The preliminary design for the redeveloped library is required to:
• Fit within a construction budget of $2.8 million
• Fit within the existing footprint
• Meet seismic requirements
To deliver the best possible library for the community and meet these constraints, the preliminary design sees most of the present building demolished and rebuilt.
The new library will look significantly different from the current one. However, it will fit within the same footprint and will not exceed the highest point of the existing roofline.
This design aims to address the functionality and maintenance issues present in the existing library and offers the following additional benefits:
• Delivers a building design and form that enhances the relationship of the building to the
reserve and adjacent heritage precinct, and improves views to the sea
• Applies environmentally sustainable design principles
How much will the construction cost?
• Cost of construction for the building is $2.8 million
• There will be additional costs for temporary relocation of library services during construction, professional fees, landscaping, contingency and inflation.
Proposed internal layout
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Mezzanine floor
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The existing library floor area is 618 m². The new concept delivers a floor area of 908 m² within the constraints of the existing building footprint. It accomplishes this through the introduction of a mezzanine floor (213 m²) and the integration of currently vacant space.
The concept addresses the current problems related to lack of space and poor configuration of available spaces.
Library entrance and exits
• Main entrance and exit to the library remains in the same place on Victoria Road
• Additional opening onto a secure outside reading area to the rear of the building
Shape and height of the building
• The design fits within the existing building footprint
• Roof height is increased in some places to accommodate a mezzanine floor, but will not exceed the highest point of the existing roofline
Positioning on Windsor Reserve
• The new building remains in the same position as the existing library and is
constrained to the existing building footprint
Location of the community space
• A community space is situated adjacent to the library entrance, so it can be accessed through the main entrance outside of library operating hours, when the rest of the facility is secured
Architectural response
The design of the library responds to a number of factors, including the library’s location in the context of Devonport’s beautiful heritage architecture. The architects have carefully considered the character and proportions of the buildings opposite the library on Victoria Road and responded to these with a design which aims to acknowledge and complement them.
Features of the existing heritage buildings:
• Façades which are neo-classical in style and composed of proportioned, decorative
and ordered elements in a hierarchical tripartite arrangement
• A verandah element which separates the upper face of the building from the street
The new library design seeks to respond to these buildings:
• It deploys a main façade element to the front (facing Victoria Road) which reflects the traditional ground-floor/verandah/upperfloor hierarchy
• The ground floor of the façade comprises a horizontal brick wall with glazed openings
and canopy
• The upper floor has regularly spaced windows set in a sculpted horizontal band,
an allusion to the masonry of the heritage buildings
• The roof is entirely concealed behind the parapet which extends around the perimeter
of the building.
The rest of the building’s exterior – on the sides facing the park and King Edward Parade – uses a simple design of cost-effective, repetitive light-weight panels above a continuous band of modular glazing on the ground floor, to allow for panoramic views.
The panels are also punctuated by large feature windows which allow spacious views from various locations on the mezzanine and in the library’s lower level.
Artist's impression: Victoria Road view Esplanade Hotel
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