Marrickville Library wins at 2020 Australian Institute of Architect Awards
Tuesday, 10 November 2020
Inner West Council’s magnificent Marrickville Library has won the prestigious David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture and was joint winner of the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture.
The 2020 Australian Institute of Architects Awards were announced on 5 November 2020 via a live-streamed event.
“This beautiful public facility is more than a library, it’s a new town square for Marrickville that brings the whole community together,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
“The nation is now learning what Inner West residents have known for some time, the new Marrickville Library is an inspiring space - I can honestly say it is one of most visually stunning libraries in Sydney.
“It has transformed Marrickville Road for the better and is one of the biggest projects in Council’s history,” he said.
The winning design by BVN was selected after extensive community engagement. The community’s vision for the library called for a diverse and accessible community space that demonstrated leadership in technology and sustainability through its design, programs and services.
BVN Principal Bill Dowzer said they had been honoured and humbled by the awards.
“We see them as recognition of the commitment of so many people in the team who worked passionately to create a building the community could love. It started with extensive public consultation, listening and then designing a truly sustainable library,” he said.
Not only a new library, the precinct is also a civic hub and destination that is embraced and loved by the Inner West community.
“This beautiful public institution will be serving the people of the Inner West for generations to come,” said Mayor Byrne.
Since opening on 31 August 2019, visitor numbers to the library have doubled with over 7000 new members and a further 2,324 re-registering.
For media enquiries, please contact Shane Teehan on Shane.Teehan@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or 9392 5117.