Daniella Heights Public School Library

Dianella Heights Primary School Library

Category: Commercial

Owner: Government of Western Australia
Location: Beaman Street, Dianella, WA
Architect: Chindarsi Architects
Builder: JCP Construction
Bricklayer: JC O'Leary

Brick manufacturer: Austral Bricks
Product: WA Red Collection, Red Smooth

Brick manufacturer: Austral Bricks
Product: WA Cream Collection, Cream Smooth

Brick manufacturer: Midland Brick
Product: Bahama Beach

Project description:

Chindarsi Architects approached this design from both climatic and contextual bases. The new facility adopts a space-efficient, square plan form with the core areas orientated to the north-east to buffer the interior from the direct morning sun and respond to the existing canteen building.

Contextually, the new facility was designed to fit sensitively within the existing campus of predominantly 1960s buildings with face brickwork, metal-deck roofs and wide, flat fascias.

Face brickwork was also chosen for its economy and durability. The brick colours are expressed as blocks to help express and articulate internal spaces onto the external façade. The sand-coloured bricks reference the salmon bricks of the existing buildings. A bold red brick was used as a contrasting element to clearly distinguish and transition between the old and the new. White brickwork lines the majority of inside spaces, providing a light-reflective expansive feel to the interior which wraps around and reveals itself as a panel externally in a playful gesture to one slotted corner.

The existing wide fascias have been re-interpreted as a lightweight roof-form in the new library, floating over the heavier masonry elements and folding down to enclose the entrance, creating shelter from the weather while signifying entry.