Library Site: 2 Options

 MANLY2015 proposes that the old Whistler Street Car Park will be demolished. This will allow the redevelopment of a new larger, state of the art Library and multipurpose community space. Commercial components within the development are also incorporated to assist in activating the current street frontages along southern Whistler Street, servicing locals and visitors alike.

Council has two options for redeveloping the Library and we would welcome Feedback from the public about the two options being proposed.

Option One - Retaining and Adding to the Existing Library Building

This option involves retaining the existing library building. Additional space will be provided for both public library and multipurpose community space. Some space will be available for office use as well:

  • Adding an additional two floors to the existing building designed in sympathy with the current design.
  • The addition of a new rear annex to redefine the Whistler street side of the building (currently this side of the library building backs on to whistler Street Car Park so has no design features, windows etc.).

The first option for the library involves retaining the current building and modernising it's exterior and interior

The benefits of Option 1 are:A photograph of an architecht's model showing how the library building will look under option 1.

  • lower embodied energy
  • continuity of identity of library and current design
  • The current building is retained providing cost savings.
    Click to see Summary Project Expenditure

Issues / challenges:

  • Rear annex required to provide an address for the building from Whistler Street when the car park building is removed.
  • Significant alterations will be required to integrate multipurpose community and library functions as well as energy efficient design features.
  • Significant alterations will be required to ground level to open the building up to public spaces while providing direct walk in access off the piazza

 

 OR

Option two

This options involves creating a completely new building on the current library building area which is two stories higher than the existing library building (making five floors overall). Note the third and fourth floors are substantially set back from the edge of the main floors below to minimise the bulk of the building. As with Option One the additional space will be provided for both library and multipurpose community space functions as well as some areas being designated for commercial or office use.

An artist's impression of the second option for the library involving a demolition of the current building and replacing it with a new one

The benefits of Option 2 are:  A photograph of an architect's model showing how the library area will look under option 2

  • More transparent & inviting
  • larger public piazza space
  • engages with piazza & entries from Whistler st
  • higher performance green building

 

Issues / challenges:

 

 

 

 

Whistler Street (New Buildings)An artist's impression of how the Whistler street area will look after Manly2015 - a view looking down market lane from Whistler Street

Both option one and two involve the creation of combined retail and commercial buildings four stories high along Whistler Street within existing building control heights. At street level this would allow for retail activity while the upper levels are proposed to be designated as commercial. The roof top area is proposed to be available for community / recreational use. Consideration of ease of access and providing public plaza areas that lead the public into Market Lane and the library building have been carefully integrated in the overall design of the “triangle site”.

 

 

What are your thoughts about the two options? We'd love to have your feedback.

In writing:

MANLY2015 Submissions 
C/-  Manly Council