HO239 - Eltham Library, 4-10 Panther Place, Eltham
4-10 Panther Place ELTHAM, NILLUMBIK SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
HERITAGE VALUE 2005: Local
SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT
What is significant?
Fabric associated with:
- the 1990s
- Gregory Burgess P/L Architect design
How is it significant?
Eltham Library is locally significant architecturally.
Why is it significant?
Eltham Library is significant as:
-an evocative and highly regarded work of the prize winning and internationally acclaimed architectural firm of Gregory Burgess & Associates (Criterion H1);
-a skifful and contemporary expression of the' Eltham Style', with its emphasis on natural materials and forms, and integration into the environment (Criterion E1).
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HO239 - Eltham Library, 4-10 Panther Place, Eltham - Physical Description 1
The library has the following components:
. Multi purpose facilities for community meetings, classes and displays
. Toy library
. Adult Literacy
. Public functions
. Kiosk
. Extended areas for local history, family history and adult literacy
. Large children's and teenage areas
. Study area
. Magazine and newspaper areas
. Informal reading area
. Outside courtyards
The design is typical of the Burgess practice, with emphasis on expression of natural materials and forms, and the integration of building and site. The layered building form descends the hillside in layers, being virtually invisible from the Main Road above. As noted in the press, this style related closely to the' Eltham Style' one that fixated on the use and expression of natural materials and finishes, and often the re-use of second-hand building elements. .
The building is wedged between established trees such as oaks .and pepper trees, with a nearby bronze statue of local figure, Alan Marshall (by Marcus Skipper, 1994), and the significant Shillinglaw Cottage to the south and the former Shire offices to the north-east. It has three levels, lower foyer and entry from Panther Place, Main Library and a mezzanine level.
The clerestory roof form follows concentric ovals from the domed building centre (circulation desk) out to the zigzag external wall line of mud brick and plywood and then to the flanking timber-framed verandahs on the north and west and the deck and verandah on the south. Each roof segment is part of a circle in section. A ring of 300mm diameter columns surround the circulation desk. External finishes include sprung Lysaght custom orb (roof), vertical boarding, copper sheet and weatherboard. The floor is a suspended concrete slab, typically covered with coir carpet.
At the main entry a community office flanks the doorway into a large foyer on . one side and a multi-purpose and service areas on the other. A tapering stair flight ascends to the main library, with its separate areas for children, staff workrooms and the general collection.
HO239 - Eltham Library, 4-10 Panther Place, Eltham - Physical Description 2
Integrity
Good.
HO239 - Eltham Library, 4-10 Panther Place, Eltham - Physical Description 3
Context
The library is one of a number of public or former public buildings, elements and areas, all adjoining Alistair Knox Park and in this case set below Main Road. The historic Shillinglaw's cottaqe is located to the south-east of the library
Heritage Study and Grading
Nillumbik - C13 Heritage Stage 2 Final Report Revised Citation
Author: Graeme Butler and Assoc.
Year: 2001
Grading: Local
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ELTHAM COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0784
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FORMER POLICE QUARTERSVictorian Heritage Register H1539
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ST MARGARETS CHURCH AND ORIGINAL VICARAGEVictorian Heritage Register H0459
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