Emmanuel College Library

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The fundamental success criteria for the Library revitalisation was the communication with Library staff. A design workshop including consultation with international library designer, Kevin Hennah, and regular discussions during construction ensured the design was suitable and successful. The design workshop established a clear goal to reduce the size of the Library collection and the selection of specific shelving units was made early in the design process. The Library expansion was an integral part of the College Master Plan, allowing the senior year levels to consolidate on the one campus. As such the newly constructed section of the Library had specific needs to accommodate including: Creation of quiet study areas for up to 60 students. Relocation and integration of library resources from the senior campus. Meeting rooms for focused group learning and staff professional learning. Colour and material selections were important to help give the new Library a clear, new identity and the carpet design played a key role in this. Furniture type and colour was selected to help define spaces that appeal to different learning styles and approaches. The design created flexibility for Library staff, allowing them to work amongst the library instead of being concentrated in the utility room. The functionality of spaces and the ability to use them all at the same time meant acoustics were another important consideration. From a sustainability perspective the most important aspect of the project was the reuse of all the existing built structure giving rise to at least 50% less embodied energy being used in comparison to constructing a new building. The use of a limited mix of external materials contributed to the development of a low maintenance structure.