The John B. Fairfax Learning Centre, Australian Architecture, NSW State Library Photos

The John B. Fairfax Learning Centre in Sydney

State Library New South Wales Interior in Sydney, Australia building design by BVN, NSW

10 Sep 2019

The John B. Fairfax Learning Centre

Architects: BVN

Location: Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

The John B. Fairfax Learning Centre, aspires to position the State Library as an excellent learning destination, by providing a fun, flexible and agile space allowing the children to act as scene setters, creating their own unique learning experience.

As part of a 2016 Master plan, BVN were engaged to design the new Learning Centre within the State Library of NSW (SLNSW). BVN worked closely with the Learning Services team of SLNSW in designing not only a teaching space, but a learning narrative for students to spend their day in the centre.

The learning journey starts from the Mitchell library entrance, where students are led to a ‘secret’ entry tucked away behind a tall framed screen that shows a moving landscape image, providing elements of discovery and surprise.

A tapering tunnel lined with displayed artefacts leads to the spacious and light filled main learning space. In the learning space, learning tools and equipment are designed to be hidden away behind the four walls.

On one wall, the wall panels open to reveal the panoramic green screen, on another, seating and storage compartments are carved tracing the outline of the beautiful existing arch windows and an intimate space for storytelling is created.

The columns within the spaces are re purposed as pinnable and writable surfaces or mirrors to allow for discussion and role playing activities. The learning centre also has a kitchen space and projection walls, allowing the space to be turned into an event venue after-hours.