Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre
The Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre is a mirror to the growth of our city. As our city has modernised, rejuvenated and diversified so has our principal public learning facility.
The new $22 million facility which officially opened on 5 April 2014 is the ultimate piece of civic infrastructure and one which will benefit our community for generations to come.
The adaptive reuse of the former Town Hall site has resulted in a 3 level facility comprising:
A 5,000sqm state-of-the-art National standard Library, containing amongst other things:
- A dedicated Children's Library area;
- A local history section;
- An outdoor reading area;
- State-of-the-art technology; and
- An iconic floor-to-ceiling 'Green Wall' full of living plants;
300-seat Bryan Brown Theatre;
Publicly available function and conference rooms and exhibition areas; and
A café;
Source: The Council
Commissioned by Bankstown City Council and designed by fjmt, the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre sets a new benchmark in sustainable public building design through the adaptive reuse, salvage, recycling and renovation of the existing Bankstown Town Hall. The development serves to revitalise a dislocated site and create a rich spatial experience for community members and visitors. Sustainable design principles and innovative high performance environmental systems informed all design decisions to create this integrated, flexible, state-of-the-art community hub.
The building offers an integrated, inclusive and flexible series of spaces containing; a new library over three levels, a three-hundred seat theatre, community conference facilities, new cafe and community information wall. Public domain improvements for the redevelopment of Paul Keating Park include: addition of an aquatic sculpture garden, new street trees and off-street parking and an all weather bus drop-off zone. The modernised facilities and surrounding public space encourages visitors to exchange ideas, interact spontaneously and participate in community programmes. The BLaKC is committed to establishing a contemporary shared sense of place within the Bankstown civic precinct.
Source FjMT