Highfields Library
Client
Toowoomba Regional Council
Location
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Date
2020
Value
AUD 15 million
Mission
Bring together a library and regional council service centre under the one roof to provide a new central hub for the fast-growing Toowoomba area.
The challenge
Serve as a catalyst building as part of a new master plan for a new town centre.
Our response
Our concept design for the project incorporated a substantial redesign of the surrounding road network to create the library site. This is informed by our integrated team’s extensive experience in infrastructure design and new communities.
As the first major building proposed for a new town centre, our design optimised connections between the future master planned high street amenities and the existing community facilities.
Conceived as a focal point for an emerging community, the design comprises meeting spaces that are available for public use, computer facilities along with dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces for reading and activities.
Biophilic design is an innovative element featured in the building’s strong visual and physical links with the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve.
The impact
The new facility has been designed to meet the current and future needs of the Highfields community and will replace a temporary library which supports over 52,000 visitors each year.
