LINCOLN COLLEGE LIBRARY TO BE “SERENE BUILDING”

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28210, 23 February 1957, Page 6

LINCOLN COLLEGE LIBRARY TO BE “SERENE BUILDING”

“A serene building, most sympathetically conceived, having a monumental, dignified quality,” said the judges, describing the winning architect’s entry for the competition for designing the George Forbes Memorial Library at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. Designed by Mr lan Reynolds,

an Auckland architect, it was picked to be the best of the 39 New Zealand, Australian, and British submissions by the Government Architect (Mr F. Gordon Wilson), Mr R. C. Muston, of a Wellington group of architects, and Dr. M. M. Burns, director of the college. £40,000 Cost Mr Reynolds has, according to the judges, designed a building which will become an integral, sympathetic, and restrained part of the existing buildings, particularly Ivey Hall. It is estimated to cost £40,000. The judges recommended that the library be placed in the central position, where the tennis courts now are. “The simple lines of its form will lie very pleasantly in this area, and by comparison will enhance the architectural quality of Ivey Hall. The exterior, in brick and pre-cast concrete, will blend with the main building,” said Mr Muston. “At the approach the open planning of the entrance area with its wide vista through the central garden court is a fine concept. The screen wall at the rear of the court, acting as a wind and sun break, is an attractive architectural feature both from within the court and without. “The positioning of the main reading rooms, on either side of the garden court, well lighted, easily accessible, and readily controlled from the central desk, gives the degree of separation that is desirable,” he said. “Generally the lighting is planned to avoid glare.

“The administration and special group rooms are planned on either side of the entrance area housing the casual reading. These side areas will require some readjustment which should be effected easily,” said Mr Muston. Silence within the library would be achieved by the use of cork floors and accoustic tiles for the ceiling, he said.