Mitcham Memorial Library

Libraries are rapidly evolving from spaces of collection to places of connection. The Mitcham Memorial Library Redevelopment embodies this progress with the revitalisation of an aged and constrained library building into a vibrant facility embracing the digital information era and community engagement.

The redevelopment transformed the library into a place for residents, local businesses and the wider community to come together.

The existing building was substantially refurbished and extended (doubling in size from 750m² to almost 1,500m² to open up new opportunities for community recreation, learning and collaboration.

The renovation created meeting places, quiet zones and training rooms plus dedicated children’s, youth, and technology areas.

Visitors are welcome to linger and help themselves to a tea or coffee while reading, browsing the collection or accessing resources. A gallery, public kitchenette, parents’ room, multiple casual lounge areas and adjacent green spaces encourage visitors to stay for the day to read, work, play or relax.

Previously centred around a collection/borrowing model, Mitcham Memorial Library has evolved with a focus on access and engagement. Providing classes, events and activities for people of all ages; the library facilitates sharing community skills and cross-generational knowledge.

Located at a gateway to Mitcham’s Brownhill Creek reserve, the library design engages with the natural parkland setting and neighbouring community and facilities. The $6M project was integrated with the significant Brownhill Creek Development Works, taking advantage of the opportunity for holistic design through landscape, urban design, architecture and interiors.

Flexible meeting rooms extend onto the large deck which overlooks the creek, extending their use into evening functions and community events. The modern, warm, and welcoming facility embraces the beautiful outdoor setting alongside Brownhill Creek.

Architect’s brief

Architects DesignInc’s brief was to redevelop the Mitcham Memorial Library to become a modern library and reflect its progressive place in the community. The City of Mitcham wanted to maintain the feel and familiarity of the existing library for long-time users and to create a space where people would feel comfortable to stay for the day.

The brief included providing accessibility for all ages and abilities. The new library was to include a new youth area, a larger children’s area and the co-location of the toy library. New meeting facilities were required to support business development and economic growth in the local community. This was the fourth upgrade in the building’s history and continues to future proof the library for future generations.

Key Challenges

The library occupies a corner site in Hawthorn, Adelaide, and faces onto a parkland and creek setting. The adjacent roads and heritage gardens restricted the expansion of the building.

Budget implications meant the existing sanitary facilities were to be retained. This created an impact on zone planning for the new library.

Design Solutions

DesignInc’s solution retained and repurposed a large part of the original footprint and created a new layout with six main zones. These included borrowing, public computers, youth, quiet study/reading, main collection and children’s library, and the foyer/gallery located to the creek side of the building. The existing sanitary facilities were retained, and the design incorporated the existing low ceilings and roof structures contained in this zone.

Seating is placed around the perimeter of the building facing outdoor spaces and the park. A variety of booths, alcoves, armchairs and tables allow different users to enjoy this view. The children’s library is located in the east of the building, where parents and carers can easily access the existing sanitary facilities and new change facility.

This also places the “energetic” users deeper within the library, away from the busy front entry where customers need assistance. The children’s zone can also be configured into an event space for presentations and talks. The computer area and youth zone are located near the service desk, where users can access IT assistance and the staff can offer general supervision.

DesignInc looked to the exterior landscape for inspiration when considering interior material and colour selections, opting for natural colours and materials to complement the park environment.

The simple palette of external materials included charcoal and white to complement and highlight the more natural finishes, such as weathered Corten steel, which allows the building to blend into the landscape.

Internally, green carpet and timber-lined ceilings alongside the windows connect with the parkland, while white ceilings deep within the building create a lighter and brighter space.

Awards

The project has been well-received and has secured widespread recognition:

Excellence in Design and/or Construction of a Public Works Environmental Enhancement Project, Institute Public Works Engineering Australasia (SA), 2019
High Commendation, Community Facility of the Year, Parks & Leisure Australia (SA/NT), 2019
Finalist, Excellence in Environment & Sustainability, Institute Public Works Engineering Australasia, 2019
Excellence in Public Realm, Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA), 2019

Project Details

Project Size – 1,650 m²Project Budget – $6,000,000
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 1

Project Team

Architecture

DesignInc

DesignInc is an Australia-wide practice, dedicated to creating people-centric environments from the large scale to the small. Their award-winning portfolio includes hospitals and laboratories, sport centres, schools, workplaces and multi-residential communities.

The practice has a combined talent of 170 architects, urban planners, interior designers and landscape architects, across studios in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

The team brings a holistic perspective to each client’s brief and site.

www.designinc.com.au

Photography

David Sievers

www.davidsievers.com