Marrickville Library
Marrickville Library is a striking example of adaptive reuse, where the heritage-listed former hospital has been revitalised and integrated into a contemporary library and community hub in Sydney’s Inner West. Designed by BVN, with TTW and delivered by CD Construction Group and Mirvac, the library features a distinctive zig-zag roof, inspired by the original hospital’s pitched roof.
Internally, the library is centred around a grand auditorium stair, enveloped by a three-storey void. Perimeter study areas and upper-level reading rooms offer expansive views across the space. The upper floors house the library’s collections, study spaces, and bookable meeting rooms, fostering an open and connected environment.
Theca Timber supplied Glued Laminated Timber (GLT) structural elements, including 54 circular timber columns that rise over two storeys. Fabricated in Italy and engineered to Eurocodes, these columns feature steel end connections and were subject to detailed compliance checks to meet Australian standards. They support the floating roof structure, which consists of a complex system of folded steel beams and pop-up hoods with south-facing lights and perimeter ventilation louvres.
Marrickville Library demonstrates the versatility of mass timber in adaptive re-use and civic architecture, balancing heritage, sustainability, and structural innovation to create a warm, enduring, and community-focused space.
- Client: CD Construction Group
- Architect: BVN
- Structural Engineer: TTW
- Completion: 2019
- Rubner Services: Design consultancy for optimization of materials, detailed design up to LOD400, Structural Engineering, Fabrication, Delivery to site
A striking two-storey colonnade marks the entrance to the Marrickville Library.
The floating roof structure is supported on 8 timber columns along the street façade.
The new library adjoins the heritage listed hospital with its timber veranda. The new timber columns rise up to 9.3m in height.
The European spruce columns feature a tinted sealer, seamlessly blending with the library’s material palette and the existing hertitage buildng
The sunlit interior features double and triple-height spaces, creating an inviting open reading space enriched by warm wood tones.
Timber columns support the floating roof structure, integrating folded steel beams, pop-up hoods with south-facing lights, and perimeter ventilation louvres.