Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p18
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 18/81)
Character Range: 88083–91086

project – 2011-12;
     * continuation of the fire and mechanical services upgrade project, construction of a new storage area for corporate records, refurbishment of the data centre
, disability access improvements, including a wheelchair lift to the Theatre stage – 2012-13;
     * refurbishment of the Executive and Public Programs office area (Level 3), installation of an equipment lift to storage areas on Lower Ground 2 (LG2) – 2013-14;
     * commencement of Reading Room Integration project to complete the refurbishment of the prominent public areas of the Library with works being undertaken on Levels 2, 1, Ground and Lower Ground 1.  The project was to improve and modernise the public spaces.  Outcomes included the integration of the Pictures and Manuscripts, Maps and Petherick Reading Rooms on the first floor (as the Special Collections Reading Room) and the integration of the Main and Newspapers
 and Microforms Reading Rooms on the ground floor.  The project also sought to improve sustainability, upgrade building services such as fire systems and air-conditioning plant, and meet compliance requirements.  The Manuscripts Reading Room was re-named the Nan Kivell Room.  Also, refurbishment of change-room facilities on Lower Ground 2, installation of new energy efficient lighting and control systems in the Main Reading Room and Foyer, upgrade of the fire detection system throughout the building, refurbishment of collection storage areas to facilitate replacement of motorised shelving, increasing storage capacity and improving efficiency – 2014-15;
     * completion of the Reading Room Integration Project, including refurbishment of LG1 public spaces for café and work areas, installation of new energy efficient lighting and controls in the Treasures and Exhibition galleries, fire corridors, plant rooms and lift lobbies – 2015-16;  and
     * café refurbishment, ground floor – 2016.

2.5 Design and Aesthetic Context and Character

Building architecture and aesthetics

As noted in Section 2.2, the building displays a number of the features of the Late Twentieth Century Stripped Classical style, and also a number of notable interiors.  These are analysed in the following section.

The building is believed to be regarded by the community as being beautiful as a landscape element, though other than the frequent use of the image of the building as a key landscape element of Canberra, no documented evidence addresses this apparent value.

Furniture

Furniture throughout the building was designed by Frederick Ward and Arthur Robinson in collaboration with the architects, and many pieces remain in use or storage.  A Heritage Furniture Register is regularly updated by the Library.  The Heritage Furniture Register relates to furniture of significance because of its association with the design or evolving history of the Library.  Selection criteria are included in a policy underpinning the Register.  Other historical furniture pieces have been donated to the