Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre
Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre
A building for exchange
The Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre (BLaKC) is a new public building designed to encourage creative, educational and social exchange. The BLaKC embodies high performance environmental systems and sustainable design philosophies in an integrated, flexible, state of the art community hub that includes; a new library over 3 levels, a 300 seat theatre, IT labs, conference facilities, community meeting rooms, scented reading garden, a new cafe and landscaped public domain.
The BLaKC Interior Architecture is underpinned by the adaptive reuse, material salvage and renovation of the existing Bankstown Town Hall. High quality Australian hardwood timbers, custom precast concrete cladding, dramatic feature ceilings systems and stainless steel joinery were synonymous with the quality and Architecture of the existing building. It was this community consciousness embedded within the building materiality that we sought to honour and celebrate through its reuse across the new interiors.
In the shade of a great tree
The concept of the new library draws from the experience of resting in the shade of a great tree. The new Library interiors seek to emulate the atmosphere of this experience, where sunlight is diffused through a facade of variegated louvres into a generous under canopy of functional library spaces. The interior spaces are defined and sculpted by the trunks of 2 great trees rising to their canopy of skylights over the colonnade of bookcases below.
The BLaKC’s interiors are characterised by the use of recycled of timber, FSC timber veneers, 100% wool carpets, bespoke joinery designs and contemporary design classics in the furniture selections. The atmosphere is enhanced by a very substantial green wall installation (designed by fjc landscape) which is fundamental to the interior design and operation of the mechanical systems to actively purify, oxygenate and cool the library spaces.
Salvaged timber
The joinery, floors and cladding are constructed from the salvaged timber. Tasmanian Oak battens previously used as feature wall linings are now integrated into joinery throughout the facility. The new timber stair treads and feature column pedestals are fabricated from salvaged Blackout, which was previously being used in the old building as structural bearers. The new timber floors were realised by salvaging Tallowwood and North Queensland Kauri floor boards in the old Auditorium.
The interior design forms an important part of the community education and awareness program of the new buildings sustainability systems, materiality and performance.
The library includes a variety of casual reading spaces capable of being reconfigured into spaces for poetry readings or musical performances. These spaces are furnished in sturdy leather bound arm chairs with easy access to power and data and creates a relaxed and comfortable area.
Reading spaces
The reading spaces are further characterised by soft filtered southern light and panoramic views across the aquatic sculpture garden toward Paul Keating Park and the podium forecourt. The BLaKC contains a children’s reading room and play-space, an IT lab, conference rooms and private/group study space.
The Interior Architecture of the BLaKC provides a sustainable and contemporary gateway to the new information age through this significant addition to the Bankstown Civic Precinct.
Explore the architecture of Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre.
Awards
| 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (National) | Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture | |
| 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) | John Verge Award for Interior Architecture | |
| 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) | Sustainable Architecture Award | |
| 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) | Public Architecture, commendation | |
| 2014 | World Architecture Festival | Completed Buildings: Culture, shortlist | |
Press
| 5 Nov 2015 | ArchitectureAU | 2015 National Architecture Awards: Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture | |
| 2 Jul 2015 | ArchitectureAU | 2015 NSW Architecture Awards | |
| 31 Oct 2014 | Australian Design Review | Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre | |
| 4 Apr 2014 | ArchitectureAU | Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre opens | |
