Everton Park Library

Everton Park Library synergises community, connectivity and gathering, referencing the rich history of the site through both design gestures and materiality. Embracing the natural surroundings, the design mitigates noise from a nearby road, whilst creating a peaceful space for learning. The library wraps around an existing tree canopy, with a generous outdoor space offering connection to the adjacent park. Inside, natural light floods the interiors, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. The public and cultural benefits of the library are substantial, offering public areas as spaces for connection and gathering. An extension of the existing library’s footprint, the new design expands the capacity for larger collections and community areas. The internal layout and generous terrace spaces connect the community to the surrounding parklands. A key feature of the new library interior is its playful forest themed children’s area, designed to spark imagination and curiosity. Everton Park Library engages with the existing conditions through a response to history and existing site conditions. A wide use of timber plays homage to the timber milling history of the site, Everton Park was once home to Poultney’s Sawmill, active in the 1860s. The library references the site’s rich history through both the architectural design, and the material choices both externally and internally. Everton Park Library also connects to place by embracing the surrounding landscape, and inviting the park in. The structure is shaped through the existing tree canopy, embracing the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the design engages with the neighbouring Fallon’s Park through a generous terrace that opens to the park and children’s play space, inviting the nearby green space into the interior. An integration of allied disciplines is exhibited through multiple scales: from a custom-made pendant light upon entry to bespoke precast panels at the west and east facades. Consultant collaboration ensured that the acoustic properties of the South Pine Road façade protected against noise and offered tranquillity upon entrance to the library. Everton Park Library accounts for sustainability through a consideration for the existing tree canopy and the parkland. The layout of the library steps around existing trees, and the rich canopy cover provides natural shading and dappled light for the internal of the library. In addition to an expansion on the existing footprint, the design also responds to required spatial relationships. Placing amenities near the entrance, creating an ease of access from the carpark to the main approach, and stationing meeting rooms and after-hours returns adjacent to the main gathering space achieved these additional requirements. The new library unites people, place, and nature, enhancing functionality while celebrating the landscape and local heritage.