Libraries
As a multidisciplinary practice, fjcstudio explores the spatial and organic interconnection of built form and site to embody shared aspirations and values. Our library projects range from small community branches and knowledge centres to major civic libraries and internationally awarded cultural hubs.
We have gained a thorough understanding of library and cultural facilities through The Concourse in Chatswood, which combines a 5,000 sqm public library with a concert hall, theatre and function spaces, and Bunjil Place in Narre Warren, which brings together a public library, theatre, gallery and council offices around a new community plaza. Other key commissions include Yellamundie at Liverpool Civic Place, Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre, Surry Hills Library & Community Centre, Melton Library & Learning Hub, Craigieburn Library, Reservoir Library, the Frank Bartlett Memorial Library and the Max Webber Library.
fjcstudio also authored the current edition of People Places: A Guide for Public Library Buildings in NSW. Our libraries include Melton Library, the first public library to achieve both Design and As Built 5 Star Green Star ratings, and Craigieburn Library, International Public Library of the Year 2014.
Yellamundie Library
A curvilinear library inspired by the flow of the Georges River, with circular glazed surfaces that draw in natural light and children’s and youth spaces held high at the top of the building.
UTS Central Library & Reading Room
A reading room at the heart of UTS Central, part of a library that combines quiet study with collaborative learning, winner of the Australian Library Design Award for Academic Libraries in 2021.
Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre
An integrated, flexible community hub where sustainable design principles and high performance environmental systems informed every design decision.
Craigieburn Library
International Public Library of the Year 2014: a library conceived as the built focus of public life for the Craigieburn community, connecting the architecture with a rapidly changing landscape.
Experience Matrix
| Project | Government Client | Library Facilities | Multi-Purpose Spaces | Conference Facilities | Meeting / Activity Rooms | Youth Centre / Spaces | Commercial Kitchen / Food & Beverage Amenities | BOH Storage | Public Amenities | Integrated Landscape / Public Domain | Integrated Retail | Design Excellence / Awards | Commitment to Sustainability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 | Bunjil Place Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 | Caroline Simpson Library: The Mint, Sydney Living Museums | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
 | Craigieburn Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Dee Why Multi-Purpose Community Facility | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
| Dapto Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
 | Frank Bartlett Memorial Library & Service Centre | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Hawthorn Community Hub | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||||||
 | Jindabyne Library & Innovation Hub | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||||
| Macquarie University Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||||
 | Max Webber Library & Function Centre | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 | Melton Library & Learning Hub | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 | Nunawading Community Hub | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| People Places: Design Guidelines for Public Libraries | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
 | Port of Sale Cultural Hub & Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Reservoir Library | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||
 | The Concourse | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
 | Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | ||
 | UTS Central Library & Reading Room | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| Warrawong Library & Community Centre | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
 | Yellamundie Library in Liverpool Civic Place | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Awards
Our library projects have been recognised by architecture, library and design awards. Awards include:
| Project | Name | Year | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellamundie Library | Public Library category | 2026 | Australian Library and Information Association |
| Yellamundie Library | Completed Buildings: Culture, shortlist | 2025 | World Architecture Festival |
| Yellamundie Library | International Architecture Award, Libraries | 2025 | Chicago Athenaeum |
| Yellamundie Library | Honourable Mention, The Influence | 2025 | INDE.Awards |
| Yellamundie Library | Public Library of the Year, finalist | 2024 | IFLA |
| Yellamundie Library | Excellence in Community Engagement | 2024 | The Urban Developer Awards |
| Radcliffe Science Library, Reuben College | Australian Award for International Architecture | 2025 | Australian Institute of Architects |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Academic Libraries | 2021 | Australian Library and Information Association |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Completed Buildings: Higher Education and Research, shortlist | 2021 | World Architecture Festival |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | INSIDE: Education, shortlist | 2021 | World Architecture Festival |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Award of Excellence, Best Tall Building under 100 metres | 2020 | CTBUH |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Award of Excellence, Interior Space | 2020 | CTBUH |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Silver, Architecture / Institutional | 2020 | International Design Awards |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Jury Winner, Higher Education and Research Facilities | 2021 | Architizer A+ Awards |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | International Architecture Award, Education | Chicago Athenaeum | |
| UTS Central Library & Reading Room | Award for Educational Architecture | 2023 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Jindabyne Library & Innovation Hub | Public Library (Small) | 2024 | Australian Library and Information Association |
| Korumburra Community Hub | Architectural Design, finalist | 2024 | Victorian Premier’s Design Awards |
| Nunawading Community Hub | International Architecture Award, Community Centres | 2023 | Chicago Athenaeum |
| Bunjil Place | International Architecture Award | 2019 | Chicago Athenaeum |
| Bunjil Place | Members’ Choice Library Design Award | 2019 | Australian Library and Information Association |
| Bunjil Place | William Wardell Award for Public Architecture | 2018 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Bunjil Place | First Award, Cultural (Built) | 2018 | Global Architecture & Design Awards |
| Bunjil Place | Public Design, commendation | 2018 | Australian Interior Design Awards |
| Bunjil Place | Architecture of the Year | 2017 | International Design Awards |
| Bunjil Place | Gold, Institutional | 2017 | International Design Awards |
| Bunjil Place | Gold, Landmarks, Symbolic Structures, Memorials and Public | 2017 | International Design Awards |
| Bunjil Place | Special Mention, Architecture and Community | Architizer A+ Awards | |
| Bunjil Place | Timber Veneer; Public or Commercial; overall winner | Australian Timber Design Awards | |
| Bunjil Place | Australian Engineering Excellence Awards, Victoria | Engineers Australia | |
| Port of Sale Cultural Hub | Public Architecture Award | 2019 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Port of Sale Cultural Hub | Regional Prize | 2019 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Port of Sale Cultural Hub | National Commendation, Public Architecture | Australian Institute of Architects | |
| Frank Bartlett Memorial Library & Moe Service Centre | Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design | 2017 | Australian Institute of Architects |
| Frank Bartlett Memorial Library & Moe Service Centre | Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design | 2017 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Frank Bartlett Memorial Library & Moe Service Centre | Public Architecture, commendation | 2017 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | John Verge Award for Interior Architecture | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Sustainable Architecture Award | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Public Architecture, commendation | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Excellence in Design and Construction of a Local Government / Public Works Project | 2015 | Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Great Place, Structural Engineering Award, Medium Buildings | 2015 | NSW Awards for Excellence |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Award of Excellence | 2015 | NSW Lighting Design Awards |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Completed Buildings: Culture, shortlist | 2014 | World Architecture Festival |
| Bankstown Library & Knowledge Centre | Hanson’s Green Building Award, finalist | 2014 | United Nations Association of Australia |
| Craigieburn Library | International Public Library of the Year | 2014 | Danish Agency for Culture |
| Melton Library & Learning Hub | Sustainable Architecture Award | 2014 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Melton Library & Learning Hub | Public Architecture (New), commendation | 2014 | Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) |
| Melton Library & Learning Hub | Commercial Exterior, commendation | Intergrain Timber Vision Awards | |
| Melton Library & Learning Hub | Excellence in Timber Design, finalist | Australian Timber Design Awards | |
| The Concourse, Chatswood | Public Architecture Award | 2012 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| The Concourse, Chatswood | Philip Chun Award for Government Leadership | Property Council of Australia | |
| The Concourse, Chatswood | Government Leadership for Urban Development | UDIA NSW | |
| The Concourse, Chatswood | Outstanding Construction; National Public Buildings over $50 million; Innovation in Construction Technique; Best Use of Steel; Best Public Building | Master Builders Association (NSW) | |
| The Concourse, Chatswood | Timber Veneers | Australian Timber Design Awards | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Best New Global Design | 2011 | Chicago Athenaeum, International Architecture Awards |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | National Award for Sustainable Architecture | 2010 | Australian Institute of Architects |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | National Award for Public Architecture | 2010 | Australian Institute of Architects |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture | 2010 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | John Verge Award for Interior Architecture | 2010 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Public Architecture Award | 2010 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Public Building and Urban Design | 2010 | BPN Sustainability Awards |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Sustainability Green Globe Award | 2009 | NSW Government (Environment, Climate Change and Water) |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Environmental Excellence | 2009 | UDIA NSW |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Finalist | 2009 | UN World Environment Day Awards |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Finalist | 2009 | Banksia Awards |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Runner up | Emilio Ambasz Award for Green Architecture | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Public Service Architecture, highly commended | Asia Pacific Property Awards | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Institutional, highly commended | Interior Design Excellence Awards | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Finalist | Australian Interior Design Awards | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Excellence in Construction, Public Buildings $10M to $25M | Master Builders Association (NSW) | |
| Surry Hills Library & Community Centre | Public or Commercial Buildings and Best Use of Timber Panels, highly commended | Australian Timber Design Awards (NSW) | |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Public Architecture Award | 2009 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Award for Sustainable Architecture | 2009 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Urban Design, commendation | 2009 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Completed Buildings: Learning, shortlist | 2010 | World Architecture Festival |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | National Commendation, Public Architecture | Australian Institute of Architects | |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Educational Sector, finalist | World Architecture News | |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Public Building, highly commended | BPN Sustainability Awards | |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Excellence in Construction, over $25 million | Master Builders Association (NSW) | |
| Faculty of Law Library & Teaching Complex, University of Sydney | Interior Fit-out; Best Use of Decorative Wood Veneers (National and NSW); Interior Design; Public or Commercial Buildings and Best Use of Timber Panels, highly commended | Australian Timber Design Awards | |
| Macquarie University Library | Best Tertiary Building $50M and over | Master Builders Association (NSW) | |
| Max Webber Library, Blacktown | Public Buildings, commendation | 2006 | Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| Max Webber Library, Blacktown | Premier’s Award | Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) | |
| Max Webber Library, Blacktown | Merit Award | Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and NZ |
For further information about our libraries capability, please enquire by email.
Related capabilities: schools, tertiary education and multipurpose courts.