Why This Community Made An Old Hospital Into A Library? Marrickville Library & Pavilion by BVN

[@jona_archi]

what an amazing example for what defines great architecture. i played this video only now, when going through the archimarathon videos again and taking a look at the few videos i haven't yet seen. the outside didn't catch my attention earlier, like lots of famous architecture does. but the inside, the spaces where people are, the big spaces, where people come in or come together, the small spaces where they focus, it is all executed so gorgeous. i could go on praising the interaction with the heritage, the materials and everyting said in the video. but even though we all already know, architecture is experienced by people moving through it, it just stunned me to get reminded of that fact this extremely

[@ruthramsden7519]

We absolutely do need libraries, because information should be free and readily available to all!

[@Archimarathon]

But most importantly, it’s not about information but the last bastion of free public building where people can just be.

[@arnasagen8077]

As someone who has spent A LOT of time studying in libraries, I would have loved the sunken area in front of the entry. How nice would it be, whenever you need to clear your head after intensive reading, to just exit out into a green, sunny and fresh mini-park?! A place to reset the old noggin. As opposed to walking out onto a busy street, wasting time looking for a quiet spot that might not even exist. Good on the architects/community for creating that space

[@Archimarathon]

Fjück yeah!

[@KINGSPOINT.NY.2024]

Great redesigning for a different purpose...great community facility..everybody benefits.. Well done.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes I know I said mullion instead of transom. Bite me.

[@arnasagen8077]

We forgive you 🤪

[@betula2137]

I can't even remember the terms I confuse things for "Ah yes, that is the 'truss' of the z-axis!"

[@stpeterscooksriver1873]

Yes it’s great, as long as you don’t expect to find a wealth of books there. The Cafe is a good place to be and the free internet is awesome!

[@andrewburns9480]

Thank you for showing the world our lovely local library!

[@Archimarathon]

Well deserved. It was shortlisted last year for International Public Library Of The Year, I think.

[@13minutestomidnight]

Beautiful library. Libraries like this are wonderful community centres, and honestly, I feel most community centres should have libraries in them (depending on funds of course). Even though books are not needed - even irrelevant - on a large scale due to the internet, they are still something humans individually bond with and enjoy reading, referencing, and just studying and working around. Also, unless you want to use piracy, you have to pay for online books (it’s cheap but adds up), while libraries are free (or at least they definitely should be in the civilised world…which is why you pay in the US =P). The reality also is that community centres tend to be only used for specific purposes by certain groups or by tight-nit communities, and either way this presents barriers to everyone else. They’re not some place you just show up and work or hang out; you go to cafes for that and end up spending money to do so (or at least feel pressured to do so). This is much healthier for communities and really the optimised version of community centres. Anyone can show up with nothing, sit down and read a book even if they don’t have a cent, and enjoy the space, and that is vitally important . …plus you only spend money on food and drink you actually want. Btw: the sunken area provides a quiet place outside amongst greenery, away from noisy roads, and that is so incredibly important for people to have in cities. Having it next to the community centre makes it even better. Fail to see the issue there.

[@betula2137]

Oh it was just so beautiful

[@pompei1009]

Thanks for showing us this wonderful library and great to see Archimarathon back! Great work by BVN, easily one of the best libraries in Sydney. I think a library in this time can be anything now, and its purpose is clearly defined by the local community. So yes, I think we can call it a community centre, but a lot quieter! As a person running a small startup business with no luxury of a home office, I, who rarely go to a library, now love going to a library weekly and, if possible, daily. I get inspired and work more efficiently in a nice library, much better than in my tiny apartment.

[@Archimarathon]

Congrats on the start up business. Yes they are also a bit like a co-working space really. I used to work at the State Library of Victoria before working at WeWork.

[@RB-zm4fk]

Great to see guys on KZbin again 🙌 Gorgeous library, could easily spend a whole day there!

[@cre8iveThings]

I couldn't help but think back to a studio project about adaptive reuse where I tried to celebrate an existing building and was shot down. This is a really great execution of reusing existing structures and materials!

[@Archimarathon]

There are some great examples out there to see and experience

[@mrfreeze88]

Great presentation as usual. 👏👏👏

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks

[@joekomono]

Excellent video. Libraries are such a fantastic typology

[@Archimarathon]

Libraries and churches.

[@simbozoni]

Dudes, I look forward to every one of your vids. I'm learning to appreciate more of the good bits of our built environment.

[@Archimarathon]

Great to hear.

[@dyalander]

The point you make about the detailed spec is so important for projects like this (public-private development) - and it’s something Councils find very difficult. With limited resources/spaces/opportunities to accomodate growing communities, the temptation is to try and pack spaces like this with everything and too often the result is mediocre spaces that do lots of things okay, but aren’t inspiring and don’t evoke a feeling of quality. I’m looking forward to visiting and to having a look at the spec that guided the project. Thanks for highlighting this project.

[@Archimarathon]

Have a chat with the librarians. They can probably tell you about it

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaron]

I'll be honest - I wasn't really taken with this project based on the published photos. But it is evidently one of those projects that has defined success based on more than just an image. Also incredibly complex and seemingly incredibly well resolved. Although this is a marathon (length) video, the project deserved it.

[@Archimarathon]

The community are extremely proud of it. We had the grand tour and that’s why we know a bit about the history and how it is run.

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaron]

Also at 2:50 - that music - "yeah baby yeah" (Austin Powers). Sounds like the royalty free version of Quincy Jones soul bossa nova 😂 - interesting editing choice - groovy.

[@Archimarathon]

Looking for music for the footage and for the narrative in Royalty Free stuff is a friggen nightmare. So much millennial whoop and auto tune. I was looking for something slightly more old timer to relate to the hospital. Originally looking for something with strings but just vibed with this one at a pinch.

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaron]

I was vibing to it to. Didn't say it was bad, just interesting and groovy! Actually worked really well.

[@rifaldopalaska7737]

always superb content.. thank you guys

[@Archimarathon]

Thank you

[@WelcomeToSteph]

Lol never been even though I used to live quite close. Can't really say I'm much of a library user, but this library is certainly on my list for a visit.

[@jamzyhuh2597]

Another fantastic video, a consonant! Love to see the integration of heritage and today’s design!

[@Archimarathon]

Cheers

[@FourthWallArchitecture]

Good to see you back, guys - And very interesting project! Love how they dealt with the intersection between the two buildings, and those corners they created. Good stuff! 👏

[@Archimarathon]

Hey. Good to hear from you. Your stuff were the inspiration for when I started making videos.

[@mateitufan2809]

My next studio assignment is a library so this couldn't have come at a better time for me!

[@logapawanjeyasiri4152]

After Loong tym nice to see you both

[@Archimarathon]

Yes we have been busy and been on TikTok

[@NeighborSenpai]

A cafe on both sides with the ability to eat and drink inside the Library? Grimace would approve

[@Archimarathon]

It’s not a McDonald’s

[@joekomono]

Grimace definitely approves

[@gabybordino6024]

And btw, nice you´re back! I missed your videos. I know you´re on TikTok now, but hey, both types of formats are great. Straight to the point there and deep conversations here

[@Archimarathon]

It’s all a learning process. I hope I will get better and quicker

[@gabybordino6024]

@@Archimarathon Indeed!

[@andrewh6691]

Marrickville Library looks amazing, and the fact they've had to retrofit additional seating is a great testament to it's success. It's been on my list to get to one day, but just got bumped up the list. I'd also highly recommend Woollahra Library as another example of really smart design, from ground floor to the top it gets quieter and more 'focused' and you can literally hear the difference in how people talk on different levels. Plus a really practical approach to internal greening with hanging pothos plants which is much cheaper than solid greenwalls.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the heads up

[@cre8iveThings]

Great video Kev and Andrew! Can't wait for part 2 that highlights the details, because there are some fine details in here!

[@Archimarathon]

Haha. No part 2 but go check it out if you go to Sydney

[@arnasagen8077]

How cute were the signs on top on the bookshelves that were shaped like the gable roof? And repeated in the little nooks in the kids section

[@Archimarathon]

Yes all the signage are really well done there

[@davidchannon6004]

This building, particularly the roof, reminds me a bit of the video you did on the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. They are very different projects, however I found the large amount of concrete used in the NPG alienating, whereas the wood used in this project, particularly on the exterior, softens and does the opposite - it is inviting and welcoming and sits comfortably within the landscape.

[@betula2137]

Yes, it feels quite distinctly contemporary Australian too

[@computationdesign]

i have been check daily for your new video, but final i am happy that you are back........................

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for being a fan

[@gabybordino6024]

Wow! What an amazing building!!! It´s clever in so many ways, a great result of a smart group work between the architects and the community. And yes, BVN are absolutely brilliant! The different spaces, the details... I could say a lot of things about all you´ve shown Libraries...I believe they are a celebration of community life. Of course, a place where you can keep books, magazines, media content but the storage part is in a way anecdotic, the main thing is how versatile they are and how spaces are used by the people. Thanks for such a great video

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. I have been sitting on this footage for over 7 months. Glad I finally had some time to make it. I am so out of touch with that process. It’s very draining

[@gabybordino6024]

@@Archimarathon I can imagine it´s extremely hard work to edit videos, even more when you are doing also lots of amazing things at the same time. Like the upcoming tour to Finland!

[@Archimarathon]

@@gabybordino6024 leaving in 6 days

[@gabybordino6024]

@@Archimarathon Wow!!! Sooo close!

[@ethanscotney9999]

such a cool library, will for sure need to check it out next time I am in Sydney :)

[@Archimarathon]

You definitely should

[@ethanscotney9999]

@@Archimarathon like you mentioned in the video, it is a destination. Now I have a reason to visit marrickville ahah

[@Archimarathon]

Have a Banh Mi whilst you are there

[@ethanscotney9999]

@@Archimarathon love a good banh mi ahah

[@Dev1nci]

This has been an education. It feels Scandinavian. Are the passive ventilation modules closable? How do they deal with it when it’s a cold day?

[@Archimarathon]

Yes they are closable

[@Dev1nci]

@@Archimarathon I love this, think I'll try use it :)

[@zach.hatziloukas]

Really cool project and great tour thank you so much guys! By the way what are the shoes Andrew's wearing? 😇

[@Archimarathon]

I believe it’s Asics Gel of some sort

[@andrewburns9480]

The "...Old Town Hall, maybe?" (25:22) is a former Masonic hall.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. What is it now?

[@andrewburns9480]

@@Archimarathon A dance school with a dentist tucked round the side!

[@HailinJune]

Sprinklers save lives.

[@urbancolab]

The s is in Sydney

[@Archimarathon]

Fjücks yeah