Waurn Ponds is the new public library now complete, designed by Whitefield McQueen Irwin Alsop (WMIA) on a small site wedged between two sports grounds in Geelong.

WMIA won the public tender for the space which included working to a minimal budget. This constraint forced them to come up with inventive ways of using what director Tim Whitefield describes as “quite a bland environment”.

Although Whitefield says that the firm strived to be innovative with sustainability features.

Where possible, elements such as recycled timber and installing minimal amount of toilets as well as recycling water were included within the building.

According to Whitefield, the most striking design element of the building is a laser cut ‘sun-screen’ which acts as a shade at different times of the day. (pictured below)

The pattern was inspired by the local area which the architects, Whitefield and Michael Brooks, discovered used to be a series of flowing ponds.

Whitefield said they chose the gold colour for the laser cut steel sheet because of its changing elements from dull to sparkling which creates a dappled light on one side of the building.

“We decided to go with a braver approach…It’s like a little jewellery box.”

The library has been submitted to the Australian Institute of Architects Awards in the category Public Architecture.

Images: WMIA

Madeline Prince

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