Vision's Peter Hyatt spoke with Andrew Hjorth of
Brewster Hjorth Architects about the design of a
library to match changing community expectations:
Whatever you may have achieved here,
it's obviously given the community something significant.
VISION
ANDREW HJORTH It's
really fantastic to visit and see the place
full of people working away, reading, studying, socializing.
That's what libraries are all about. It's great to see that.
The resurgence of libraries, not merely as places to
retreat and retire, but as social hubs, is quite remarkable.
They're just like the latest Harry Potter novel.
Almost everyone, and that means municipalities
everywhere, want a standout library.
Any overarching aims?
I hope it says that libraries are fun, exciting, dynamic places.
They're not boring rows of books. They're places where you
can come and enjoy yourself. Architecture is not some sort
of monument to the architect. It's a living, evolving entity
which people enjoy for its own right. The architecture is only
a part of making that work. It's the spaces, it's the people
using it and the whole dynamic of the facility.
What were you able to bring to this project?
I've always had a passion for knowledge and reading.
I think it's been a real privilege to be able to work on libraries.
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