The Octagonal shaped room is full of “inter-story”, home to over thirty thousand books and three hundred and twenty reading desk, the amazing six-story structure has the acoustics to hear a pin drop through out the room. Know as the La Trobe Reading room, it has become a heaven for writers, readers and artists to come and work in a quite, creative space. The long desks allow for individuals to work in a spacious area in comfort.Opened in 1913 the Domes interior and exterior have created a remarkable presence for city goers over the years.
Up until 1998 the Dome had no natural light, the green lamps above the desks were the main source of light on the lower level and lights on the upper lever walls created a pathway to the top of the dome. Now the room is filled with natural from the glass roof of the dome although at nighttime the reading room reverts back to its original ambience, which in a sense allows people to experience the history state of the building as well as the light filled dome structure.
Looking down from the 4th floor of the dome, I get a sense of order and hierarchy through the long lines of desks that all meet at the center of an octagonal shape desk. The interior of the Reading room also gives a sense of symmetry and repetition throughout, using the octagonal shape and straight lines. Drawing ones eye to the center of the room and the top of the dome.
Upon leaving the La Trobe Reading Room on the ground floor, I take a look back as the people sitting at the desk work away. I see the green lights, the desks drawing my eyes to the center of the room. As I walk away I realize that the people and the books make the inter-story.
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