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Baillieu Library - University Of Melbourne

Location

156 - 292 Grattan Street,, PARKVILLE VIC 3010 - Property No B6480

File Number

B6480

Level

State

Statement of Significance

The Baillieu Library (1957-1959), designed by John F D Scarborough in the period 1951-54, is of statewide significance as an innovative library design symbolising the "functionalism" of the 1950s. It was the first major new library in Australia completed since 1942 and was designed to facilitate flexible planning and the subsequent extensions. It is also of considerable architectural significance. The curtain wall was unusual for institutional use and related strongly to the full eight windows of the contemporary Wilson Hall and Beaurepaire Centre. These three major non faculty buildings boldly set a new image to the University and a radical departure from the traditional collegiate style. The curtain wall of the library has an interesting and unusual layout of opaque spandrels and continuous transparent glazing: this reveals a play of low single storey reading spaces and stack areas with tall reading spaces, an effect emphasised at night. The other elevations play a subordinate role to main east facade, although the west fenestration with horizontal strip windows with aluminium sun louvres are distinctive. The design is further refined by crisp detailing and contrasting use of materials and the quality of a number of internal spaces, in particular the circular stairs which provide a focus to the whole building.
The building has considerable social significance as one of two buildings on the Melbourne University campus (the Union Building being the other) which is used by students across disciplines and is a major research focus for this long established University.
Classified: 20/10/1993

Group