Hames Sharley

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Gone are the days where libraries need to be kept as dark as possible to protect their collections. Thanks to an innovative architectural approach, Perth’s TL Robertson Library will see an influx of natural light for the first time in 50 years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/library1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="534" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/library1_0.jpg?itok=9FqPc98m" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New additions to Curtin University's TL Robertson Library. Source: Schmidt Hammer Lassen</figcaption></figure>Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects have partnered with Australia’s own <a href="https://www.hamessharley.com.au/article/major-upgrade-to-transform-curtins-iconic-library">Hames Sharley</a> to deliver an extensive transformation of Curtin University’s pivotal campus landmark. The original design of the six-storey brutalist structure will be preserved yet revitalised, using modern building techniques, new technology, vertical line and the introduction of more open collaborative spaces.

<blockquote>
“The redevelopment complements the building’s original features with bold, contemporary architectural interventions that focus on warm, natural materiality, and contrast the  current structure with open lightness.”
</blockquote>

- Morten Schmidt, Founding Partner of Schmidt Hammer Lassen

As a building which sees over 2 million visitors annually, it was important to create a comfortable, accessible and open space for students, faculty and Perth’s wider community – as Schmidt Hammer Lassen put it, a “living library”. The creation of multiple entrance points will provide more public access, cultivate inclusive outdoor areas and landscaping opportunities to enhance the outdoor environment of the university.

Inside the library, a grand atrium will connect the multiple levels, providing a sense of openness and allowing natural light to filter through. New features will also include a makerspace, events location and teaching areas.

Over the last year, students at <a href="https://news.curtin.edu.au/stories/the-robertson-library-is-being-transformed/">Curtin University</a> have been contributing ideas to the project team up until the design was finalised. This will be the second library project for Schmidt Hammer Lassen following their work in tandem with Architectus on the renovation of the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/state-library-victoria-unveils-the-first-of-its-new-spaces">State Library of Victoria</a>.

The library will remain open for students throughout construction and the new zones will be opened incrementally, with final completion by 2020.

NEW ADDITIONS TO TL ROBERTSON LIBRARY:

<ul>
<li>2000 square metres of extra floor space</li>
	<li>A central atrium with auditorium-style study stairs connecting Levels 2 &amp; 3</li>
	<li>Student kitchen (accessible 24/7)</li>
	<li>Accessible entranceways</li>
	<li>Versatile teaching spaces</li>
</ul>
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Olivia Round

TL Robertson Library’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated with a state-of-the-art upgrade

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Brisbane's Albion Station is the latest rail hub set to maximise surrounding surplus and underutilsied land tracts via a transit oriented development.

Submitted to Brisbane City Council yesterday, the application dubbed Albion Exchange seeks approval for the initial stage of a far reaching mixed-use development spanning 3.5-hectares, with the station at the heart of the overhaul. The application also formally makes good on the Queensland Government's $750 million election pledge to renew the station and its surrounds.

Residential, commercial and extensive public uses aside, the station's transport infrastructure will also receive an overhaul.

The initial precinct's rebirth is to be delivered jointly with Albion-based developer Geon Property. Whilst works are slated to commence prior to 2020, the full delivery lifespan of the projects is expected to span 15 years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image159_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A highly activated ground plane. Image: Hames Sharley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image159_5.jpg?itok=wdxeCLGV" title="A highly activated ground plane. Image: Hames Sharley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A highly activated ground plane. Image: Hames Sharley</figcaption></figure>At the time of Geon Property reaching agreement with the Queensland government, Geon Property Managing Director Ben Griffin said:

<blockquote>
Redeveloping Albion train station allows us to deliver a truly world-class transit oriented development. This project will be more than just a property development – our vision is to create a precinct that is a genuine destination. 

This project will be defined by a seamless integration of high-quality apartment living, retail, food and beverage outlets with genuine character, modern commercial offerings and vibrant public open spaces. It will offer access to Brisbane’s transport networks, integrating with one of South East Queensland’s busiest train lines, connecting to the bikeway network and providing accessible parking options.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image164_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The wider Albion precinct. Image: Hames Sharley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="444" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image164_1.jpg?itok=rlIItGwM" title="The wider Albion precinct. Image: Hames Sharley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The wider Albion precinct. Image: Hames Sharley</figcaption></figure>Architecture firm Hames Sharley were announced at the practice of choice for the revamp earlier this year, and have gone about creating dual high-rise towers across the 6,458 square metre site which constitutes Stage 1. 

Combined the towers hold as many as 333 apartments, split between 96 single, 178 dual, 56 triple and 3 quadruple bedroom options. Their respective heights are pegged at 23 and 30 storeys, with the latter reaching beyond the 100 metre mark.

Both towers will stand adjacent to The Husdon, an existing 14 storey apartment tower cornering Hudson Road and the Albion Overpass.

Retail gross floor area for the initial stage spans 2,140 square metres and is supplemented by commercial space covering 3,777 square metres. In line with the size of the development, basement accommodations are made for 573 vehicles and 461 bicycles.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image161_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Residential towers will play their part in the development. Image: Hames Sharley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="612" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image161_0.jpg?itok=ykljP6kC" title="Residential towers will play their part in the development. Image: Hames Sharley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residential towers will play their part in the development. Image: Hames Sharley</figcaption></figure>It is the design's public features though which distinguishes the application; relative to its total gross floor area of 37,665 square metres, the open space provisions are particularly high. Public open space amounts to 4,770 square metres, whilst communal open space and private open space measure 2,657 square metres and 4,207 square metres respectively. 

Albion Exchange's landscaped designer Dunn + Moran made the following observation in terms of what the project is seeking to achieve from a public context:

<blockquote>
People associate inner city railways with concrete and the sound of heavy steel. Our vision is for a new precinct that looks at the rail environment differently.

Albion Exchange will be an active hub where people can meet conveniently, recreate comfortably and feel at ease when engaging with the railway. The prominence of usable green space and ornamentation should swathe the precinct in a manner that allows people to forget what the old style of train station used to feel like. 
</blockquote>

Albion Station is one of a handful of current transit oriented developments being backed by Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads; other stations receiving substantial developments include Coorparoo Junction, Buranda, Cleveland and Ferny Grove.
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Hames Sharley

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