The Woollahra Municipal Council had the goal of providing a new library facility to match the particular needs of many different generations of library users. The role of the building was shifted to become an inclusive, collaborative community space.

To achieve this, Woollahra Municipal Council partnered with NDY, BVN architects and FDC, with NDY providing key engineering services. It was designed with the concept of a garden in the library.

At the entry a stunning green wall is provided, from here visitors can look up through a series of voids that provide line of sight to the third floor of the library. Each void is surrounded by hanging ivy draped down into the void. This greenery highlights the architectural features, while also having the added benefit of improving air quality. The library also has a function area designed for up to one hundred and twenty people that can be hired for community and corporate events.

The audio visual systems were designed with interactivity as the focal point including ceiling and wall mounted interactive projectors, allowing children to play games and interact with the technology. The projector also drops from the third floor over the void to create a stadium viewing area for the screening of films and presentations at community events. The library is designed with connectivity in mind. USB charging stations for electronic devices are provided throughout and the entire library has high speed WiFi coverage. This is aimed at supporting the various ways that all generations learn and study, ensuring that the facility remains relevant and fulfils its purpose for years to come.

The building has received a great amount of positivity from the local community with attendance at the library four times higher than previous years.

The library is also a multiple award winner, with accolades including the following:

  • 2016 Winner Best Interior Fitout $5,000,001 – $10,000,000, Master Builders Association (MBA) of NSW 
  • 2017 Special Commendation, Australian Library & Information Association (ALIA) Library Design Awards
  • 2017 Special Commendation Interior Architecture, Australian Institute of Architects

Project Details

Client: Woollahra Municipal Council

Architect: BVN

Contractor: FDC

Value: $10 m

Completion: 2016

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