Trinity Bay High School Library Fitout

Government, $200K, Manunda (2003-4)

Brief and Context

Trinity Bay State High School had a very modest amount of money to renovate their ageing early eighties library. This building had been adapted and extended over the years, with part used as classrooms. The library felt crowded, cramped, and closed in.

Design Approach

The fundamental design approach was to reclaim the library by inserting a relatively inexpensive new diagonal corridor across the classroom portion to provide separate access. This reduced noise and disruption from the classrooms. The library was then reoriented, with the book stacks against the blank internal wall allowing views out into the school grounds. A new circulation desk, computer “pops”, and funky furniture completed the new layout. The mission brown beams and trims were painted out in the same cool neutral as the walls; making the space feel bigger. Bright colours were then introduced into the furniture and the floor.

The classrooms were also renovated with new equipment, operable wall between two of them, and one converted to a computer room.

Design Team & Builder

Mango team: James Maude, Barry Bradbrook

Builder: Taria Projects