Jindabyne Library / Built / Fjcstudio
Why was it important for fjcstudio to take on a library project?
fjcstudio’s heritage is in public buildings and we believe they are critical for the health and wellbeing of communities and for social equity. The library is one of the last remaining ‘truly public’ building typologies, open and welcoming to all, essential for marginalised and populations and to support greater prosperity.
We have delivered a very wide range of libraries (over 20) or various scales – academic, specialist, school and public. They are endlessly fascinating and different, as they ideally respond to local context and demographics.
fjc had also undertaken a range of work exploring the challenges and solutions to procuring and building smaller libraries, particularly in regional areas. This culminated in a commission from the State Library NSW that considered solutions for smaller library development. A particular focus was on opportunities for prefabrication and modularisation. Previously fjc had also completed the new version of SLNSW’s People Places Guidelines and updated its brief templates. It was clear that capacity for community programs and events, flexibility, sustainability and local specificity were central to good contemporary library design.
Just prior to the Jindabyne tender, we had developed a DfMA (Designed for Manufacture and Assembly) prototype for school buildings in partnership with Built. This utilised CLT (cross-laminated timber) and offered a highly sustainable, quick-build alternative to traditional building techniques. The project developed further to consider its use for community buildings.
And when the tender came out for Jindabyne – it was a no brainer! The brief required a solution to a very tight design and build program and constrained budget. Further, the building needed to be designed for disassembly, relocation or reuse.
Do you take a different approach for designing a library than that of a residential or commercial project?
As a multidisciplinary studio, we cross-pollinate ideas across a broad spectrum of typologies. Both residential and commercial buildings have borrowed heavily from learning and community buildings. Many resi buildings now offer community spaces, co-working areas and meeting rooms. Large commercial campuses integrate social spaces, maker spaces, immersive digital spaces, wellbeing areas, event and exhibition. All typologies have experienced the shared impact of technical evolution and a much greater focus on sustainability. Workplace and libraries have particularly benefited from the flexibility that digital technology has fostered – customers and staff alike have a much greater choice of setting thanks to wifi and mobile devices, benefit from on-line resources and meetings, and widely apply the use of apps such as room bookings.
Libraries set themselves apart by not only meeting the needs and aspirations of an entire community but also by reflecting its unique identity. Unlike corporate headquarters or exclusive residential buildings, a good library serves everyone, embracing a diversity of use. We find it rewarding to explore these scenarios to ensure our designs foster a sense of belonging and practical functionality for the widest range of people. However, we do consider the specific demographics of each area to ensure our designs are contextually appropriate and focussed. When undertaking public commissions, we particularly recognise the added responsibility of managing public funds and strive to deliver optimal value.
What was your guiding ethos for the project?
Our team wanted to deliver a beautiful, locally relevant library for the Jindabyne Community who had waited decades for an alternative to the mobile library. While the building is designed for disassembly, it needed to appear substantial and permanent. We had already explored the technology that allowed the team to design and build the project in nine months, so it was the fit to the site and the context that was critical. It does not look like an ‘off the shelf’ building – it maximises views to the lake and northern orientation, provides special out-of-hours access to meeting spaces and offers smaller human-scaled areas for little groups and individuals. The flexible furniture allows the structure free space to host large events, such as several highly successful author talks, returning easily to daily library and community use.
Sustainability is at the core of this project. The timber was sourced from local fallen trees and milled locally. Prefabrication dramatically reduced waste and unnecessary additional linings were avoided by designing the timber to be both the structure and the finished wall and ceiling surface. As a small library, it works very well through passive design measures – great sun access and cross ventilation.
The exterior of the building celebrates the highly recognisable Australian Alpine Architecture, settling immediately into its surrounds.
What is/was your favourite part of the redesign?
The warmth of the timber lined interiors is uniquely ‘alpine’ but also a result of the cross-laminated prefabrication methodology. We couldn’t have found a better place to first apply this material.
Annie Hensley
Head of fjcplace and Leader of Community Building Group.
