With library architecture and interior design a hot trend, it has come as no surprise to those in the industry that Sydney’s $40 million Green Square Library and Plaza design competition would garner plenty of interest.
The jury has whittled the entries down to five finalists, wading through 167 entries before deciding on a shortlist. The shortlisted entries will be displayed for public perusal.
In unveiling the finalists, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore noted the architectural standards in the entries were impressive, a necessity in a city that has welcomed many beloved projects into its built environment in recent times.
“The City has invested in high-quality design for our community and recreational spaces, and we’ve seen projects such as the Surry Hills Library and the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre win international recognition,” she said. “I hope the winning design for Green Square will follow in that tradition and put the area on the architectural map.”
National and international firms vied for the tender, with four of the five finalists hailing from Australia.
“Our Green Square Library and Plaza competition caught the imagination of local and overseas architects and the selection of four Australians among the five finalists shows the incredible local talent we can foster,” Moore said.
The shortlisted architects/firms include:
- Stewart Hollenstein in association with Colin Stewart Architects (Sydney)
- JPE Design Studio (Adelaide)
- John Wardle Architects (Melbourne)
- Flannery & de la Pole (England)
- Felix Laboratories (Fremantle)
While Moore noted the calibre of the designs and the difficult decision the judges had to make, the community will now be allowed to chime in and offer their own opinions and suggestions to judges.
“We asked for a beautiful, functional and sustainable design that would attract people to the Green Square Town Centre for a range of cultural activities,” Moore said. “Our panel of distinguished architects and experts in their field debated long and hard for three days to select the five finalists from the 167 entries.”
The finalists will now be placed up for community feedback, with the winning tender announced at the beginning of next year.
