A multidisciplinary staff led by Durbach Block Jaggers with Structure Associates and panorama structure observe Openwork has received a contest to design a brand new $60 million library and public piazza in Melbourne’s Coburg.
The profitable design was unanimously chosen in a two-stage competitors run by Metropolis Lab, which launched in Could 2025. The jury was chaired by Victorian authorities architect Jill Garner and included Merri-bek Metropolis Council director of group Eamonn Fennessy, Monash College affiliate professor Maryam Gusheh, Jones and Whitehead director Ron Jones, and Sibling Structure co-director Qianyi Lim.
The competitors shortlist, introduced in September 2025, included three extra groups: FJC Studio with TCL and the Indigenuity Lab; Version Workplace, Blaklash, Hassell, Discovering Infinity and Kate Rhodes; and Studio Vibrant with Oculus, Board Grove, Blaklash, 5 Mile Radius and Barbara Flynn.
The library is deliberate for an present automotive park bordered by Waterfield and Victoria streets. The profitable proposal includes a four-storey library constructing with versatile areas for studying, studying, artistic and cultural applications, and group use. The design locations the library assortment on the center flooring, with an open floor flooring under and multipurpose public rooms above.
The scheme positions the library on the western fringe of the location, opening onto a piazza that spans roughly two-thirds of the location. The piazza features a central open house for occasions and actions, framed by seating and vegetation. Indigenous plant species will kind a part of the panorama design, in line with the council.
Neighborhood suggestions on the draft idea design is open till 24 April. Topic to approval, building is anticipated to start in mid-2028, with the library scheduled to open in late 2029.
