Geelong West Student Hub
A 21st-century library targeted at students, providing innovative and future-focused resources and technologies to enhance their learning experiences, addressing the question:
how can libraries utilise and adapt to new technologies to enhance experiences and future-proof libraries while bringing the community together?
Client
University Project
Libraries have always been a quiet place for study and education, with a large array of books on offer. However, as the demand for technology has increased, the demand for books have decreased. Today, for libraries to maintain an important part of our community, they need to adapt to the community needs.
The Geelong West Student Hub provides a space where students can relax and socialize, forming connections with other local students. The space equips students with educational resources and study spaces to assist students in their studies. Adapting to the ever-changing world, the student hub is fitted with new, future-focused technologies to provide students with resources that they do not have access to at home.
Communal Space
The back wall features a large bookcase full of books for visitors to borrow. The bookcase is in a unique diamond shape to reflect the dynamic angular lines of the Geelong Regional Libraries branding. Within the bookcase are also seating, allowing visitors to sit within the bookcase to read a book.
The steps are the continuation of the steps in the entry, providing seating for those who purchase something from the café, or who just want a place to study. Cushions have been placed throughout the steps to make the experience more comfortable. Some sections of the steps also reach outwards, providing a place where visitors can stretch their legs. The angular shape of these reflects half of the hexagon of the Geelong Regional Libraries logo.
The communal space is located at the entry, featuring a café and a space where students can relax and socialise, featuring a vibrant, fun atmosphere, providing comfortable spaces to relax and study. Modular seating for the couches will be used, allowing students to rearrange the furniture to encourage collaborative work.
Student Hub Entrance
The front entrance is located on Pakington Street. The step seating at the entrance is wrapped around the building into the entrance of the library, creating a grand sense of arrival.
The exterior of the library features a window allowing those who are walking by to purchase a coffee or some food without needing to enter the library. Feature steps that act as seating also wrap around the front of the library, providing a place to sit, especially when they are waiting for their coffee.
Study Space
The study space features many private study booths, creating a more focused space where students can effectively study, also with private study rooms that can be hired located at the back of the space.
The study space is more of a private space compared to the communal space, while still connecting with the courtyard.
Within the space, there are private barriers between each table. They are slightly transparent so light can still travel through, and silhouettes can be seen so visitors know if the desk is occupied. The glass wall around the private study rooms consists of privacy smartglass, meaning that when the rooms are vacant, the glass remains clear, but when the room is occupied, the glass changes to frosted glass.
Makerspace & Courtyard
The makerspace features new technologies that students may not have access to elsewhere, providing them with new resources and skills beneficial for their future. It consists of one larger space, with a printing room, technology lab and photography room separate. The space also has its own accessible entry located from the carpark.
The courtyard connects to all three spaces. The amphitheatre steps continue within this space. A highlight of this space is the connection to the makerspace, as on the other side of the glass is a shelving unit. This unit allows creatives to display and store their work, and people from the courtyard can stop and admire this work while walking past.
The makerspace is a large open space, featuring plenty of storage and large tables for collaborative work. The large space and the large tables make it the perfect space for visitors to spread out create something individually or work collaboratively around the large tables.
The bookcase that was previously shown in the other spaces also continues within the makerspace. This not only holds books, as it is also shelving for tools and equipment visitors may need. Instead of seating in the bookcase, there are now stand-up desks with a shelving unit above holding common equipment, such as hammers and spanners.
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Geelong West Student Hub App
