Greensquare Library and Plaza - Studio Hollenstein

The award winning Green Square Library and Plaza is a great example of people-centric design, and the creation of high quality public space in an urban environment. The 8,000 square meter plaza, with the 3,000 square meter library sunken below frees up the ground plane, allowing for community to gather outdoors and utilise the ground level plaza, while the library below is sheltered from direct sunlight and excess noise pollution. 

A series of 42 skylights bring natural light into the library spaces below, with key volumes protruding upwards through the plaza, bringing the plaza down to a human scale. Basic geometries are cut into the plaza, with the playfull shapes defining clear spaces within the library below. 

The project achieved a 5 star Green Star rating, with great energy efficiency within the library. Part of this is due to the advantages of the underground space, with high insulation and with internal temperatures partially moderated by the landscape itself. Further, a central wastewater system collects rainwater from the plaza to be reused in the library as greywater, greatly reducing the library's water consumption, and also supporting the numerous greenspaces throughout the project. In addition, a energy displacement ventilation system is integrated into the bookshelves, creating a passive aircurrent through the underground library to ensure that air quality is maintained without the need for huge and energy-expensive air conditioning units. 

With the surrounding areas of Greensquare growing at an exponential rate, the library will help to support over 60,000 people within the next 5 years. The generous public plaza helps accommodate for this, as a 24 hour venue for community events, gathering, and recreation. 

In conclusion, the Greensquare Library and Plaza is a forward-thinking urban planning response to the modern built environment, creating public space and amenity, and maximising the available space to provide for a fast growing community.