By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Nothing prepares you for the cavernous size of Springvale’s under-construction library.
The building site that hulks behind the diminutive current library on Springvale Road is taking impressive shape.
It is three times the size – just over 2000 square metres footprint on the ground floor and 1733 square metres on the first level.
City of Greater Dandenong hopes for 600,000-plus visitors a year when it opens in 2020 – nearly double the library’s present incarnation.
Like the building’s rippling north face, there’s an apparent absence of straight lines within its walls. Visitors inside are led in arcs and spiraling staircases.
A display wall will depict waving flags of nations across the world – a nod to Springvale’s famous diversity.
Clearly 21st century technology is not going to be skimped upon.
Vast numbers of public access computers are planned, as well as computing courses.
Large electronic screens will beam in nearly in every room. The largest public screen can be remotely controlled from the council’s headquarters more than 7 kilometres away in Lonsdale Street Dandenong.
During a tour inside the site, visitors stepped over vast metres of pipes – part of the efficient underfloor thermal air system that will heat the building.
Amazingly, this huge 12-metre tall hub will be self-sufficiently powered, creating zero net emissions and earning a 5 Star Green Star rating.
Atop of the library and city hall roofs, 727 solar panels will produce 218 kWp.
Other efficient features include 10,000 litre rain and stormwater harvesting tanks for flushing and irrigation.
A shade veil of large cypress timber strands hanging like stalactites shield the library’s vast north-facing windows.
Behind the veil, there will be a naturally-lit exhibition space that can open up to the breeze and outdoor elements. A display area for the Springvale Historical Society’s vast wares is nearby.
From the library mezzanine are commanding views of the much-loved city hall and the suburban streets beyond.
There’s also views of the stylish minimalist bandstand, playground and parklands being currently moulded around remnant river gum trees.
A cafe is expected to be a popular interface between the library and plaza.
The library is scheduled to open by March 2020.
