Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p73
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 73/81)
Character Range: 292970–295791

verre glass. These 50mm thick glass pieces are each cut to maximise light refraction. Every panel comprises four sections with the dominant images of crosses, stars and mandalas. The panels range through the colours of the spectrum, with blue representing the plant Venus and red the planet Mars. Each window has four 330cm high sections and is 125cm wide. The lobby also features three Aubusson tapestries designed by the French artist, Mathieu Mategot, with woven images of Australian flora and fauna and man made landmarks.

Discussion of significance:

Style

The National Library is an example of the Late Twentieth Century Stripped Classical style. Other notable Canberra examples of this style include the following buildings: Canberra Centre (Monaro Mall) (1963) Law Courts of the ACT (1961) Reserve Bank (1961) ACT Police Headquarters (1961) Blocks F and G, Russell Offices (1966) Hinkler Building (1962) The Law Courts building is a good example of this style displaying many of the same features as the National Library. However, the lightweight columns of the Law Courts building suggests a measure of playfulness in the application of the style. The Law Courts building is relatively intact but the Canberra Centre has been changed externally by a development to one side and internal modifications. In this context the National Library is a good Canberra example of the Late Twentieth Century Stripped Classical style and one of few relatively intact buildings in the style in the national capital. The National Library is part of the significant cultural landscape of the Parliamentary Triangle. It occupies a prominent and strategic location marking the western corner of the Triangle.

The building is of historic and cultural interest as the home of the National Library of Australia. It is a storehouse, a vault and repository for some of the nation's most valuable book collections, manuscripts, printed materials, tape recordings, paintings and other treasures. It is a public building and open to the public 361 days a year. It is valued by the community as a library, for its collections and for its exhibitions.

The two major artworks incorporated in the building, the stained glass windows by Leonard French and the entrance sculpture by Tom Bass, are also of some interest. In particular the windows are the smaller of two monumental installations by French, the larger being at the National Gallery of Victoria. French is regarded as one of the world's leading early post war glass designers (Zimmer 1984).

Aesthetic Quality

The building is recognised for its harmonious proportions and monumental colonnade. The lakeside location allows reflection of the building on the lake surface, enhancing its grace. Its prominent setting on the lake edge makes it a visual landmark of the city. Along