Deakin Uni Burwood Library

University libraries were once policed by bossy librarians who demanded total silence from students.

But on many progressive university campuses, university libraries are now meeting and socializing spaces for students.

The rules have been relaxed.

Deakin University wanted to ban the “shhhh!” factor at their Burwood Library.

But it still had to deliver traditional library uses like independent or group research and study.

So they engaged Six Degrees Architects.

SDA pursued the concept of the library as a ‘Village’ with:

Main streets take most of the traffic
Secondary circulation to different pockets of activity

They also designed a series of key destinations within the building including:

‘Village Green’ central informal meeting and group study area
‘Active Squares’ computer labs, a gallery, and checkout
‘Pocket Parks’ providing eddies away from the main study area and lounge spaces for relaxation

Outcome?

Six Degrees Architects successfully delivered a diverse menu of spaces for students to choose from within a welcoming, comfortable, and dynamic environment.

Project Details

Project size – 3,070 m2
Completion date – 2009

Project Team

Architecture

Six Degrees Architects

Established in 1992, Six Degrees is one of Australia’s leading architectural practices.

Practice areas include residential, master-planning and place making, aged care and community, office and workplace, hotels and hospitality, and education, delivering design solutions for both new and heritage places.

Six Degrees also develop planning and design strategies for large public and private clients to create new urban places and to activate under-performing civic precincts.

The Six Degrees Architects team for this project included:

Director – Simon O’Brien, James Legge
Architect – Shol Nicholas
Documentation – Hannah Robertson and Frank Vedelago
Interior Design – Robyn Ho

www.sixdegrees.com.au

Services and Structural Engineering

GHD

GHD is one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property, and buildings, and transportation. They provide engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to private and public sector clients.

www.ghd.com/en-au

Building Surveyor

PLP

PLP provides consulting building surveying, essential services, project auditing and related services to the Australian construction and property industries.

www.plpaust.com

Photography

Patrick Rodriguez

Patrick is a commercial photographer based in Melbourne with over ten years of industry experience, collaborating closely with clients in design, architecture, fine arts, editorial industries and with local government.

He also documents heritage materials and artworks for the City of Melbourne, the State Library Victoria, and other arts related organisations.

www.patrickrodriguez.com.au