Civic Library
Brief
A public library for a growing university town, sited on a sloped plot at the edge of the old town centre.
Problem
The brief asked for a single building to house quiet study, public gathering, children's reading and archival storage — four programmes with contradictory acoustic and environmental needs.
Signature Drawing
Click a room in the plan for detail.
Spatial Concept
Every terrace reads outward as a distinct volume, so the building's public face is legible as four rooms rather than one institutional mass.
Material Strategy
In-situ concrete frame with laterite-block infill sourced within 40km of site, and a perforated concrete-block screen that shades the reading stair.
Environmental Response
Cross-ventilation follows the slope — the reading stair acts as a ventilation chimney drawing air from the lower terraces to a high-level outlet.
Outcome
A library that is used as much for its stepped external terraces as its interior — students study on the stairs as often as at the tables.
Project Metadata
Timeline
Ministry programme review
Slope & context survey
Terraced-section studies
Acoustic & structural coordination
Tender drawing set
22 months on site
Public opening
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