Cracked egg design for library

from w
The design for the new library in Geelong has been modified but still looked like an egg. And why so big as most information and even fiction is now on the internet or on DVDs etc. I think the design overpowers it's neighbouring Art Gallery etc. unless they are all going to be modernised.  I do like curved lines though in a building rather than square or oblong block shapes.

From Geelong Advertiser:

Cracked egg turfed out

Peter Begg   |  March 25th, 2013

Concept designs for Geelong's new library and heritage centre.

GEELONG's new library and heritage centre overlooking Johnstone Park has lost its "cracked egg" look as architects develop detailed plans.

In September, City Hall revealed a bold dome design for the library, but the latest images of what architects ARM envisage show it could be quite different.

The latest plans show three flat sides, sides as architects move to maximise available space inside the five-storey structure.

The latest image of what is proposed is the third version of the dome concept, and shows the dome with an overall brown appearance, compared with the original image, which was blue.

In a report to tomorrow night's Geelong city council meeting, which contains an update on the project, the architects are said to have completed studies into the dome's colour and pattern.

The report states the architects believe their latest plan met the city's design criteria and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect's requirements.

"They have recommended a dome made of coloured GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) tiles," the report states.

"The tiles would be coloured in four individual colour tints, be articulated as a series of hexagonal tiles, and be subdivided on their face into three sub-tiles which are parallelograms."

The report said the final four shades would be selected from a range of six colours: inca gold, light sandy beige, champagne, "glo" peach, mushroom and yellow.

Geelong Regional Library Corporation chairman Andy Richards the council has had positive feedback on the design concept for the new library.

"I am very comfortable with where the project is headed," Cr Richards said.

"I like the design of the building, and I am looking forward to making the inside of the building as modern and cutting-edge as possible."

Tomorrow's council meeting will also consider paying for a library study tour to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Cr Richards and council colleagues Rod Macdonald and Kylie Fisher are interested in taking the tour.  Cr Richards said his board had done a lot of work in the past decade to make Geelong's libraries the best they could be. "We continue to search for and investigate the best improvements we can make, to make our libraries even better," he said.

"Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have some of the best libraries in Australia and we will be looking at several new and improved libraries."
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And from Architecture Source:

Could Libraries Become Precinct Hubs?

When considering the design and function of precinct developments, thoughts often naturally run to bars, cafés, sporting venues and theatres. While these spaces are important as community hubs, libraries are taking on a growing role in the world of architecture.

Library developments have gained prominence in recent months, with home developers and interior designers placing heavy importance on private libraries and commercial and government entities investing heavily in the development of public library spaces.

While libraries have traditionally been popular community destinations, their institutional feel led to a dip in their popularity. Those times seem to be coming to an end more recently with the industry strongly backing the new interest in library developments.

The planned $45 million Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is yet another example of the growing trend.

Slated to be built in Johnstone Park, architectural firm ARM Architecture will deliver the major community hub. No strangers to precinct feature design, the architectural firm has recently completed the $136 million Hamer Hall redevelopment project.

Confirmed plans developed by the firm show the building with a highly unique dome-like shape and a façade consisting of a mass of beehive gridding over glass. A tiered glass green roof, which is in effect a jagged cut out from the dome adorns the front of the building.

According to Greater City of Geelong Mayor John Mitchell, the building’s modern aesthetic is a much-desired change of pace for architecture in the city.

“It’s something different for Geelong – it will arguably be our city’s most iconic building that will draw people in and put us on the map,” says Mitchell. “The architects have deliberately gone for a modern design that complements rather than competes with the existing heritage buildings in the precinct.”

While the cutting edge design has earned mixed reviews thus far, Geelong Regional Library Board chair Andy Richards has praised the architects for their modern vision, which he says will give the building added longevity.

“We know modern library services help shape smarter and more connected local communities,” says Richards. “This magnificent, architecturally designed building will not only be a landmark for our city and future generations, it will significantly improve and strengthen library services for the CBD and the entire regional network.”

Work on the building is expected to begin next year, which is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

By Tim Moore