The 21st Century Learning Hub: Lessons from a joint use school and community library project in regional Australia
Abstract
Australia wide Governments are searching for more effective and efficient use of public infrastructure. While shared use of school and community sports facilities and halls is relatively common in NSW, it is only recently that joint use projects have been promoted in that State. Joint use projects open a myriad of learning opportunities for a community. There are few places of public infrastructure that represent the learning culture and pulse of a school or community like a library. For communities the information they contain, the events hosted, and the spaces for hire are intrinsically tied to the culture of the local community. In secondary schools Libraries are at the heart of learning. Libraries are places that students inevitably gravitate to as a space for collaborative project work, social interaction, meetings and events. In regional towns the roles of both are magnified. These different library aspirations both complement and compete while opening opportunities for use of a wide variety of school learning facilities by the community and re-integrating school with community. This case study demonstrates a successful merging of previously separate community, school, cultural, health, wellbeing and tertiary facilities within a new hub in the regional centre of Young, NSW. This paper describes the collaboration between state and local government, architects, educators and community representatives. It details the conception of the facility from within the community, the multiple stakeholders and policies involved and the architectural response to a complex brief, a multilayered historical site and a diverse cultural context.
Keywords: joint use, library, community hub, community learning facility
Authors' bio
Julia Atkin
Director
Learning by Design
Doctor Julia Atkin is universally recognised for her rich understanding of learning and thinking and providing practical ways to support teachers and leaders in enhancing learning for all. Julia works extensively with individual schools as well as with education systems to help transform how they design the learning landscape - both pedagogically and physically. Her international work includes NZ, USA, UK, OECD and the World Bank.
Julia believes she has avoided a ‘use by date’ by focusing on what is fundamental and universal in learning, leading and design.
Linkedin WebsiteDavid Tordoff
Director
Hayball
A director at Hayball, David plays a key role in the practice’s national education and commercial projects, working with state governments and private clients. With a deep understanding of site contexts, education design and communities, he has led multiple award-winning education and civic commissions that are recognised as exemplars in learning environment planning and community alignment.
Nationally recognised for design excellence, David’s work is a recipient of the prestigious Australian Institute of Architects Sulman Medal and numerous accolades from the Learning Environments Australasia (LEA). He is sitting member of North Sydney Design Excellence Panel and a juror for the 2020 LEA NSW Awards.
Linkedin Website