Buchan completes Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, a 2,500-square-meter community hub in Australia, inspired by a Living Water narrative. The library features a raw concrete exterior, organic shapes, and playful circular windows that evoke water as a gathering place, punctuating its expressive facade. ‘The waterways of the Wadawurrung people have been a natural meeting point for centuries and are rich in cultural and spiritual significance,’ says Buchan architect Aleksander Borek. ‘The new library is conceived as a nourishing place for the community to come together and create a shared future.’ Inside, open-plan spaces incorporate natural materials like timber, used on bookshelves, furniture, and fittings, and a rammed earth wall that creates a textural spine through the building, separating the public front of the house from amenities areas. A floor pattern mimics a creek, and flows through the library and the adjacent town square, while outdoor terraces and creative spaces complement the design.
Located in the heart of the Armstrong Creek Town Centre in Greater Geelong, the Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library was developed in collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the City of Greater Geelong. The design aims to connect the building with nature, with Buchan incorporating large windows to flood the interiors with natural light and offer views of the surroundings. A waveform canopy along Main Street provides shade and protection, while a cantilevered roof shelters a landscaped forecourt at the main entrance. The circular windows, when illuminated at night, give the building a lantern-like glow, reinforcing its role as a landmark.
Internally, the library accommodates a range of activities and welcomes users of all ages. The Australian firm integrates a children’s zone on the ground floor that caters to local families, while upper levels offer coworking spaces, a makers’ area, and access to outdoor terraces. Flexible furniture, operable walls, and ample storage allow adaptability to various needs, making the library a meeting point for day and night activities. Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library is the first major civic infrastructure in the Armstrong Creek Town Center and sets a benchmark for future developments in the precinct.
▲ Biyal-a Armstrong Creek图书馆的建立使得该社区居民对社区有了认同感
Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library establishes a sense of identity for a new community
▲ 穿越城镇广场可进入该建筑场地内
the main entry is from a new town square
▲ 紧邻街道的立面上设计有波浪形的雨篷,可为行人遮阳避雨
at street level, a waveform canopy protects pedestrians
▲ 仿生形态和精致的细节设计映射了建筑设计的主题
organic shapes and refined detailing reflect the Living Water theme
▲ 趣味圆形窗增加了建筑外观的表现力
playful circular windows punctuate the expressive facade
▲ Buchan在建筑底层设计了儿童活动区,满足社区家庭的需求
Buchan integrates a children’s zone on the ground floor that caters to local families
▲ 开放空间内的书架采用木材等天然材料
open-plan spaces incorporate natural materials like timber, used on bookshelves
▲ 室外露台和创意空间的设计使得建筑的功能性和灵活性有所增加
outdoor terraces and creative spaces complement the functional and flexible design
▲ 图书馆内部设计有多种空间,满足各个年龄段的人群使用
the library accommodates a range of activities and welcomes users of all ages
▲ 图书馆的建立使得该社区居民之间的交流活动有所增加
fostering community engagement and collaboration
项目信息:
项目名称:Biyal-a Armstrong Creek 图书馆
建筑设计:Buchan
项目位置:Armstrong Creek, Greater Geelong, Australia
摄影:Tom Roe
project info:
name: Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library
architect: Buchan | @buchan_studio
location: Armstrong Creek, Greater Geelong, Australia
photographer: Tom Roe | @tomroe__