State Library Victoria reveals schmidt hammer lassen's “Vision 2020” redesign

It's been almost a year since schmidt hammer lassen and Architectus' team won the competition to redevelop the State Library Victoria in Melbourne, Australia's oldest and busiest public institution, which attracts 1.9 million visitors and over 4 million online users annually. Earlier this week, the Library finally revealed the winning team's redevelopment scheme. Now estimated to cost $88.1 million, the “Vision 2020” plan aims to upgrade the 160-year-old Library to meet current and future community needs.

Construction of the new 13,532 m² library will start this year, and is expected to complete in 2020.

Working alongside local practices Architectus and Andronas Conservation Architects, have a look at schmidt hammer lassen's redesign below. (You can also check out a video of the project too.)

“‘Our goal is to create spaces that foster learning, exploration and innovation, expanding the Library's reach and relevance and transforming this popular landmark into a true urban hub — a place where people in Melbourne naturally gravitate to in order to engage, learn, socialize and be inspired,’” SHL founding partner Morten Schmidt said in a statement.

“The plan will return 40 percent more space to public use...During the design process, a series of co-creation workshops were held to engage users directly. Input and feedback from children, teens and their families have helped the design team to understand the future user needs.”

“The new design unlocks physical aspects of the Library in order to expand its functionality. While spaces like the Ian Potter Queen's Hall and Galleries are literally ‘unlocked’ and released to the public, the Trescowthick Information Centre (TIC) and the Courtyards have been redesigned to bring their architectural and functional potential to life.”

“The design concept further enhances the permeability and navigability of the Library site by creating a sense of arrival and clear hierarchy of thresholds and spaces, connecting the different zones of the Library physically and visually.”

“New and engaging spaces for children, families and youth will be created to nurture creative learning, literacy and play. The design also includes new technology-enabled spaces.”

“‘We are stripping off the layers and revealing the original architecture, of which we are being very respectful, so that State Library Victoria can continue to function as a modern library,’ Morten Schmidt said. ‘Our concept provides a strong 'design line' that will act as a framework to guide present and future works.’”

Project data:
Size: 13,532 m²
Cost: $88.1 million redevelopment plan
Competition: 2016, winner of tender, international competition
Client: Major Projects Victoria (MPV), State Library Victoria (SLV)
Architects: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Architectus,  Andronas Conservation Architects
Engineers: Irwin Consult, Steensen Varming, Arup
Other consultants: ID Lab, McKenzie Group, Salus

Images and quoted text courtesy of schmidt hammer lassen architects.

Check out a video of the project below.