Mornington Branch Library- Victoria, Australia- Garner Davis Architects

I had an immensely difficult time finding information on this project; after emailing and calling and generally harassing the architects (which, with the time difference, was quite difficult!) for a week, I got desperate and emailed the City of Mornington, the press photographer, the electrical consultants, and the library itself. In the end a librarian came through and sent me a bunch of photos and a floor plan. I guess libraries are really hubs of information after all!

One of five public libraries serving the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the Mornington Branch Library is an abstraction of site lines gesturing to the sea, topographical lines, prevailing wind and sun patterns, and even historical navigational pathways around the peninsula.

The library is an addition to a preexisting municipal site, but instead of being simply tacked onto the built form it is slightly separated to create courtyards between the old and new. The facade is mostly insulated glass, to allow for interaction between visitors and their neighborhood, but also showcases the hefty collection of books and other resources to the community.

PARTI DIAGRAM: The library is nestled on the border between a larger commercial area and a residential area; instead of opting for the library-as-shopping center feel, the library opens up towards the residential side and towards the bay, creating a calming living room away from home atmosphere.

OPEN/CLOSED diagram: The open side of the library (LIGHT GREY) faces the residential side of the neighborhood, and also opens up to allow for site lines to the bay. The closed side (DARK GREY) shuts out the busy commercial side of the neighborhood, which allows for a more privatized, calm experience; a living room away from home.

SERVED/SERVICE diagram: Most of the service spaces (DARK BLUE) are located in the closed portion of the building, except for the coffee shop and meeting rooms, which are left open.

 

MATERIALITY: The city wanted a library that would bay tribute to the adjacent bay, but wanted to steer away from the typical garish blue-and-yellow nautical themes, so the architects opted for a beach in winter color scheme, using a mostly white palate, with creams, browns and greys contrasted by the bright seaweed green.

      

WIND+ SUN: The library is enrobed in a second skin made of perforated metal that not only shades the space but captures and utilizes the dominant winds coming in from the bay to naturally cool the spaces. Setting the glazing back from the heavy exterior skin allows for the lighting to be subdued and ambient, and create a relaxing living room atmosphere.