Victoria
Designed by Kosloff Architecture, the Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre replaces the existing local library with a much larger, brighter, and accessible space in the heart of Warrnambool’s CDB. The new space is located on the South West TAFE campus and provides facilities for the local community and South West TAFE students and staff.
A new 3-storey contemporary extension connected by a glazed linkway to an existing, refurbished, heritage-listed building combines the traditional elements of a library with new elements, including a café, gardens, a dedicated children’s area, a tech zone, and a staircase with landings offering space for seating or performances.
A curved façade reveals views to the ocean. Internally, the new ceilings serve to bind together the contemporary and heritage buildings.
The project is the outcome of a partnership between the Victorian Government, South West TAFE and Warrnambool City Council.
Award for Public Architecture
Kosloff Architecture’s vision is attentive, generous and transformative, combining the adaptive reuse of the heritage Orderly Room with a three-storey addition to enhance facilities for the local community and TAFE campus at the heart of Warrnambool.
An inventive threshold connects both buildings via a study stage, bridge and internal light-filled laneway, which creates a rich urban connection to unify the centre with the campus and city. It offers the community an exceptional level of accessibility, inclusivity and exchange for learning, activities and ideas.
An ambitious sustainability agenda ensures a 100% electric facility with substantial retained and local material content. The care given to the Orderly Room Collection is immediately evident; a sublime space of grand proportions is articulated by tactile surfaces, natural timbers and soft furnishings which offers a comfort of human scale for the enduring enjoyment of civic life.
The Learning and Library addition is compelling and beautifully detailed, mediating its context with a thoughtful scale and palette. The structural solution is clever, the concrete curves of the facade appear weightless in contrast to the heavy heritage context. Wall to window ratios provide an efficient thermal envelope, allowing for intimate occupation within the facade depth between framed views and regulated daylight.
Kosloff Architecture’s success in drawing out the best of a tired heritage building and using it as inspiration for a stunning new three storey building with a seamless interconnection between old and new has been heralded a triumph by Warrnambool community. Striking design elements internally and externally, testament to the architect’s vision and attention to detail have ‘lifted the aspirations of the City’. The highly functional design is a result of Kosloff’s willingness to work collaboratively with stakeholders.
Julian Kosloff, Design Architect
Lance van Maanen, Project Architect
Stephanie Bullock, Design Architect
Bryce Raworth, Heritage Consultant
GLAS Urban, Landscape Consultant
Kosloff Architecture, Interior Designer
Philip Chun, Building Surveyor
Philip Chun, DDA
Quantum Traffic, Traffic Consultant
Resonate, Acoustic Consultant
Studio Semaphore, Signage and Wayfinding
SY Structures, Civil Consultant
SY Structures, Structural Engineer
TSA Management, Project Manager
Umow Lai, AV Consultant
Umow Lai, ESD Consultant
Umow Lai, Fire Engineering
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
