Calvino’s Library

• Architecture

The brief :: design a building on the existing site of Section 8 bar in Melbourne City which contains both private and public functions. Primarily it is Italo Calvino’s library, with spaces for a research fellow, artist residence, gallery, auditorium and associated functions.

The building design is a direct interpretation of my feelings associated with Sydney. It represents the opposing elements within a city - rigid and mechanical verses organic and peaceful. The building is divided into these two sections through uses, structure and materials.

The rigid and mechanical side contains all the high density uses, it is a brutalist and industrial stylised design, with steel structure and cladding that conforms to a rigid grid.

The organic peaceful side contains the low density uses creating a quiet and reflective space. Timber clad cantilever platforms meander up the interior space. This organic free flowing plan is in stark contrast to the rigid plan on the opposite side of the building.

Dividing these two spaces is a grand atrium which extends the entire height of the building. This space is made of 600mm reinforced concrete curved walls which carve into the high and low density spaces. This core is the entrance to the building and connects the rigid and organic spaces through thin perforated steel platforms. The walls of the core have passages from Italo Calvino’s book Invisible Cities etched into its facade, along with an abstracted map of Sydney, both elements that inspired the design of this building.

Year :: 2011