Washington Park Library

The Washington Park Public Library is part of a larger redevelopment of existing Housing NSW and Council lands that delivers a new park-side design around the new Garden Square which is the major civic space in the Washington Park masterplan.

The library is part of a mixed use building, which includes a community centre, cafe, apartments that accommodate both private and social residents and basement parking. The library fronts onto Garden Square with glazing on three sides allowing expansive views of Salt Pan Creek Reserve and Washington Park. Garden Square is further activated by three neighbouring shops in the adjoining building to the north and a Cafe that provides an interface between the Library and the Square.

The library design is trapezoidal in form with glazed curtain walls to the north, west, and east. A generous ceiling height throughout allows a mezzanine level for part of the space in the southern section. The design incorporates an enlarged stairway between these levels which doubles as tiered seating for book reading and other library events. The transparent nature of the library connects the internal space to Garden Square as well as providing vistas for readers and staff to the surrounding parklands. There is under cover visitor parking for the Library under the Community Centre with additional on grade parking provided at ground level on the south side of the Community Centre.