In Practice 07 - Austral Bricks: Bricks, Pavers, Retaining walls

Narellan, in Sydney’s outer south-west, is slowly coming out of the shadow of its big brother, Camden. Best known as the home of Oran Park motor raceway, the area has seen a large influx of new residents in recent years.

The new Library and Community Space was seen by the council as a signature building, setting the style for a revitalised town centre. Group GSA won the project in a limited competitive tender.

“They were attracted to the design because it was different and it had an excitement in its use of colour and in its form,” says GSA’s design director Stephen Pearse. Working with him were Warren Meadley, project director, and Sally Sutherland who helped prepare the submission and worked on the design delivery.

Located at a busy intersection, the complex describes an L wrapping around a brick-paved plaza integrated within the adjacent park of remnant eucalypt forests. The building features a library, youth centre, meeting rooms, community offices and staff areas.

All elevations are prominently displayed, with those to the north and west relating closely to the street. The western brickwork picks up on the masonry of the adjacent civic offices. “Brick is used a lot in civic developments,” says Stephen Pearse, “and the scale is right. You can create good, crisp forms out of brickwork. It’s also durable, it’s not expensive, and it’s a cost-effective construction system.”

Brickwork also features internally, in stairs, balustrades and even wrapping around internal bridges. “We have essentially carved space out of a strong brick form to create the main entry and lobby,” Pearse explains.

A highlight of the facade design is the striking red glass of the youth centre. The north face features a billboard-like, nine-metre-high, silk-screened, red glass artwork looking down on 2.1 metre high letters boldly forming the word LIBRARY.

Visitations have risen markedly and the complex has generated a lot of interest from residents. “People like being in it,” Stephen Pearse observes, “ and I think they appreciate the quality that Richard Crookes put into the construction. It is very well put together. The Narellan Library and Community Space sets a precedent for future quality development in the region.”

Brick "Sets Style" in Growing Town Centre

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