Gosport Discovery Centre
Gosport Discovery Centre is part of a new generation of libraries created in response to the national decline in visitor numbers. While books and reading are at the heart of the centre, other services such as local history information, museum displays, free internet access, dance, music, multimedia, training and literary events will help to attract more people through the doors and create a much enhanced community facility.
Two key objectives for the design were to improve accessibility and to improve the internal environment. To this end a passive ventilation system has been installed employing natural stack effect vented through chimneys installed on the roof. Existing glass infill balustrades have been replaced with stainless steel mesh screens to improve airflow but also to introduce a new tactile and permeable element between the split-level floors.
Specially commissioned works of art have been integrated to the entrance areas. These include Steven Pippins ‘Geostationary Plasma Screen’ and Martin Donlins stained antique glass entrance lobby. This luminous 'light box' engages passers by and plays off against a heavy low concrete wall, which overtly announces the new centre both day and night.
