New landmark library opens in Greater Geelong

Armstrong Creek in Greater Geelong has a new landmark following the opening of the Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library and community hub.

Designed by Buchan, the $21.8 million facility is set within the Armstrong Creek Town Centre precinct. It spans 2500 square metres across three storeys and contains more than 30,000 new books and resources, along with a children’s story time area, outdoor terraces, and multipurpose and creative spaces.

The new library’s circular windows and design elements represent many individuals coming together, according to Buchan architect Aleksander Borek, and are inspired by the “living water” design narrative developed with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the City of Greater Geelong.

‘The waterways of the Wadawurrung people have been a natural meeting point for centuries and are rich in cultural and spiritual significance,’ says Borek. ‘The new library is conceived as a nourishing place for the community to come together and create a shared future.’

When lit at night, the circular windows lend the library a lantern-like quality that reflect its role as a beacon of lifelong learning at the heart of the community.