DunnHillam - Junee Library

Heritage | Wiradjuri | Junee NSW

A public living room
Junee Library

A public library in a regional town in south western NSW.


DunnHillam - JuneeLibrary

Challenge

Junee Shire Council purchased the old co-operative grocery building with the idea to move their library into the main street. Like so many local councils they had limited funds for the build and for the ongoing operation.  They also had a main street that was slowly dying as the new co-op now drew everyone to the other side of town.

Response

We looked at the design of this project from multiple points of view. How could we staff the library efficiently? How could we create uses for the building that made use of the facility for as many hours of the week as possible?  How could we minimize energy use and maintenance costs?

We proposed a building that adopted significant and innovative sustainable systems, such as night-sky cooling, plenum air handling, hydronic slabs and automated heat dispersal.  Spaces were organised to allow use after hours and reading couches were placed in the shopfront window to bring life to the street.

It was the recipient of the NSW Premiers Prize in 2010, an award given to the best architectural project for that year that provides benefit to the people of NSW.

Junee Library DunnHillam

“After a process of careful consideration, detailed consultation, and inspired planning, the new Junee Library emerged as an extraordinary building that combines the history of the building with contemporary features which makes it a stand out piece of public architecture”

Robert Knight
Executive Director, Riverina Regional Library

Junee Library DunnHillam

Sustainable from the outset

94%

reduction in water consumption compared to older, smaller and less used Junee Library

96%

reduction in potable water consumption compared to baseline

32.5%

energy savings compared to best practice benchmark for existing buildings in the area

Junee Library DunnHillam
Junee Library DunnHillam

“The Junee Library is a community project imagined by local council to integrate community functions within the commercial sector for the public and cultural benefit of the town. The building is designed to fit in and be an elegant, quiet but contemporary building. Importantly, both are excellent examples of the architect’s skill.”

Premier Kristina Keneally
2010 Premier’s Prize Presenter

Junee Library DunnHillam
Junee Library DunnHillam

Awards

Winner - Premier’s Prize
2010 AIA NSW Architecture Awards

Winner - Nash Bros Constructions
2010 Regional Master Builders Awards

Project Team
Ashley Dunn, Lee Hillam, Felipe Miranda, Linden Thorley

Builder
Nash Bros Constructions

Quantity Surveyor
BDA Consultants

BCA Consultants
BCA Logic

Structural Engineer
Hughes Trueman Consulting Engineers

Services Engineers
GHD Newcastle

Photography
Killian O’Sullivan