Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi & Wailwan
NSW Regional
Regional
The Gilgandra Library + Community Hub transforms a former Target Country building into the town’s vibrant civic heart, demonstrating how adaptive reuse can revitalise heritage main streets while delivering exceptional community value. Located at the centre of Gilgandra’s heritage precinct, the library accommodates diverse programming from youth robotics competitions and music recording to business incubation and community events. The design extends beyond the building to include a reimagined plaza that creates an “outdoor living room” connecting Miller Street to the Castlereagh River through native landscaping and event facilities. Flood-resilient design ensures century-long durability, while flexible interior planning supports the ambitious programming envisioned by local librarians. The project exemplifies sustainable civic infrastructure, retaining embodied energy through adaptive reuse while creating a dynamic community asset that strengthens Gilgandra’s cultural and economic capacity for future generations.
The Gilgandra Library + Community Hub transforms a former Target Country store into a vibrant civic heart. At the centre of Gilgandra’s heritage precinct, the Hub welcomes natural light and frames riverbank views while accommodating diverse programming from youth robotics competitions and music recording to business incubation and community events. Flexible interior planning supports an ambitious program. Durable, flood-resistant finishes and materials, combined with a soaring roofline, enhance a sense of calm. The Hub exemplifies sustainable civic infrastructure, retaining embodied energy through adaptive reuse while creating a dynamic community asset to strengthen Gilgandra’s cultural and economic capacity.
The project extends beyond the building to include an outdoor living room with event facilities and clear connections to the Castlereagh River. This outstanding space, with its developing native landscape, suits large and small gatherings and special events. The project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can revitalise main streets and deliver exceptional community value.
Gilgandra Library + Community Hub is a thoughtful adaptive reuse of an existing building. It has delivered exceptional value, extending the building’s life, and providing much needed contemporary civic facilities. Intelligent investment in flood resilience and flexible programming ensures its long-term economic viability. The building’s plaza creates a lively central, street-hub and a missing civic anchor for Gilgandra. It is a place for learning, gathering, economic development, and cultural expression, maximising public benefit whilst minimising additional investment.
The new library is an all-electric public building incorporating solar panels, high levels of insulation, stack-effect passive cooling, long-lasting, low-maintenance hardwood timber doors and windows, and carefully placed shading to create warm winter spaces and minimise solar gain. The project exemplifies sustainable civic infrastructure, retaining embodied energy through adaptive reuse while creating a dynamic community asset. It strengthens Gilgandra’s cultural and economic capacity for future generations and supports community aspirations while building long-term municipal capacity for diverse programming and community leadership.
The Gil Library Hub’s design welcomes natural light and frames serene riverbank views. The Miller Street frontage, with expansive art deco windows and built-in seating, invites reading and reflection. Flexible interiors accommodate diverse events, and the children’s area opens to a safe courtyard for play. Durable finishes and quality materials combine with a soaring roofline enhancing calm and spaciousness. The staff value the clever storage solutions. Outdoor areas suit both large and small gatherings, making the plaza a lively main street hub. Overall, the Gil Library Hub is a functional, inspiring, and community-focused space fostering connection, learning, and pride.
Ashley Dunn, Design Architect
Lee Hillam, Design Architect
Johnathan Temple, Project Architect
Geremy Yip, Graduate of Architecture
Sophie Canaris, Project Architect
Stephanie Chiu, Graduate of Architecture
John Carrick, Structural Engineer
Somewhere Landscape Architects, Landscape Consultant
SJB, Town Planner
Altus Group, Quantity Surveyor
DC Partnership, BCA, Access & Fire Consultant
Mantis Engineering, Facade Engineer
JHA Consulting Engineers, Services Consultant