Learning Curve

Libraries aren’t usually associated with great excitement – except of the intellectual kind – but that’s exactly what’s happening at Nowra Anglican College. A recent project has transformed an under-utilised area into a fantastic new library and multi-purpose building that’s wowing the locals.

Funded by the Federal Government’s ‘Building the Education Revolution’ (BER) program, the project called for large expanses of glass that ran the entire length of the curved façade. The space had to look great, safely house the college’s extensive book collection, double as a space for seminars and work groups, and create a scholarly environment to inspire young minds to greatness.

To complicate matters further, BER-funded projects stipulate that schools must make the commitment to reduce energy consumption through environmentally sustainable measures, including careful building design, solar power generation, and building automation systems. Combined with stringent new energy-efficiency requirements under Part J of the Building Code of Australia, the project’s green credentials clearly had to be irrefutable.

To meet insulation requirements, the building’s designer, Geoff Gilman of Midson Group, used a combination of masonry, fibre cement clad timber framing and metal roofing on the building’s exterior. In addition, to ensure the energy-efficient light fittings are turned off when spaces are unoccupied, the site now boasts a state-of-the-art building automation system.

Close attention was paid to the strategic location of windows and glazing, so the experts at Hanlon Windows were called in to help. AWS Series 466 Awning Windows have been positioned high up to allow for warm air to escape in the summer months and to support cross-ventilation. As some of the awning windows are located over stairwells, Conel electric winders were fitted. These proved to be the ideal choice and alleviated important OH&S concerns raised by the college’s governing body.

The southern façade of the building is dominated by a sweeping curve of framed glazing and a central double-storey window which floods the space with natural light. Continuous glazing around the roof edge is protected from direct sun by a generous eaves overhang.

North, east and west elevations utilise a high-performance laminated glass with a low solar heat-gain co-efficient. The southern façade, in contrast, uses laminated glass with a clear performance interlayer. This maximises natural light and helps control heat loss on colder days.

Elevate™ Series 400 CentreGLAZE™ fixed frame windows, and Viridian 8.76mm Enviroshield Performance ITO Glass accounts for the majority of the building. AWS Series 410 Bi-fold Doors succeed in both separating and connecting the workshop rooms and the main body of the library, and cleverly allow the college to create a larger area if required. The Bi-fold Doors are also installed at the opening to a large deck area where students can gather. The Elevate™ Series 50 Hinged Doors easily support the weight of the heavy glass, increase the durability and perfectly complement other commercial framing system at the college.

Other products used include Elevate™ Series 606 FrontGLAZE™ Fixed Frame Windows, Elevate™ Series 50 Heavy Duty Commercial Hinged Doors, AWS ANDO™ Hardware, and 6.38mm Clear Laminate supplied by Viridian Glass.

Together, the passive and active measures incorporated in the building’s design moderate the internal environment, minimise the building’s air conditioning needs, reduce energy consumption and meet sustainability objectives. The college’s principal, Andrew Leslie, has christened the project ‘a resounding success’.