mercy college library_
A new library for a new millennium
The library heralds completion of the first stage of the Mercy College Masterplan. This was commissioned to combine three separate schools into a single Kindergarten to Year 12 College for 1,400 students.
The brief evolved from extensive consultation with library staff and the College community.
The design response is one of lightness and transparency. It departs from traditional library design in its use of passive supervision. This is achieved by generally locating staff at a central hub or 'Service Station'. Offices and teaching areas are transparent and orientated towards the main body of the library.
The Library is designed for universal access to service the learning needs of small children through to adults.
The east and west elevations have been constructed from precast concrete panels poured in a specially developed curved-bed steel form. The panels undulate in plan to soften building bulk to a more human scale.
The Library is entered from a membrane-covered 'street' at its east wall. This street will eventually link all other buildings to this new, centrally located facility - the educational hub of the campus.
Cost-effective and energy efficient design:
- The building is almost square in plan to reduce the amount of wall exposed to thermal transfer
- The building is 'see-through' from north to south - effectively 'soft edged' in relation to its grounds
- It has solid walls and shade structures to the east and west
- It relies on a combination of a fresh air cycle with clerestory windows for ventilation and air changes, supported by a zone-sensitive reverse-cycle air conditioning system - all of which is fully automated
- The entry - bag store - acts as an air lock to reduce loss of conditioned air at times of climatic peak
- When weather permits, the building can be opened to courtyards on the north for outdoor teaching
- Semi-mature deciduous trees have been planted extensively to reduce radiation from paving in summer
- Specialist thermal glass has been used to increase insulation and reduce glare
- Full-height glazing and clerestory lighting have dramatically reduced artificial lighting requirements
- Overhangs have been designed to eliminate sun penetration in summer, but allow for 'warm spots' on the floor in winter
- Heat generating computers are located directly under the return air grilles eliminating the need for dedicated air-conditioning in this area.