Hardiman Library, University of Galway

The new research library extension was joined to the existing Hardimann Library, a protected structure built in 1978, by a three story atrium space which provides connections between the two buildings at podium, first and second levels.

Although the two structures are connected at all levels, the architectural character of the existing structure is maintained and enhanced by a delicate adjacency strategy that includes minimum contact, maximum visibility and selective environmental improvements.

A BER A Building, designed with a strong sustainable agenda. Whilst the building predated NZEB it would easily comply with and exceed NZEB standards. The project was not required to have Breeam but would have scored highly with the following sustainable and low carbon energy saving design features:

The west elevation features a cutting edge unitized two storey, triple layer cavity wall, with integrated automated solar and glare control shading. Internally, raised access floors facilitate displacement ventilation throughout, natural ventilation in the atrium aids energy savings and provides smoke evacuation.

A building footprint that maximises natural light combined with facades that have been site-specifically designed to allow for maximum daylight penetration with a minimum of solar gain.

Facades have been designed to the reading room with a slim twin skin and integral blind for glare. This is a ventilated cavity that ensure heat build-up from the solar gain is dissipated at source.

The extension is conceived with the pedestrian access routes and desire lines from the southern campus areas defining the building edge. The massing of the structure and its cantilevered form facilitates a dramatic new main entrance atrium link to the existing undergraduate and new post graduate facility as an interconnector of the existing Library and the new angular extension.

The environmental strategy conceived at the outset of the project was twofold, to create a new facility which maximized the orientation and building depth and to use the building mass and form to aid the performance of the existing library where possible. The main cladding is Dura Beige Limestone which maintains its colour an tone when saturated, unlike local granites and limestones.

Its also a polished finish which is resistant to wear and tear and graffiti. The external seating area is comprised of acid etched basalt for slip resistance and durability.