Designed by FJMT Architects and the City of Sydney, the new Surry Hills Library and Community Centre is an eco-sustainable building with the highest efficiency rating of any government building in Australia.

Collider was asked to create the principle signage for the centre, which was a great opportunity to make something permanent and lasting. The design work included four elements – the main entrance and the three floor directories. The directories, in sympathy to the materials they exist within, are designed to feel like large tilted switches or books roughly stacked.

Each module not only holds the description of the destination but also tilts towards that destination. The proximity of the destination determines the angle of the tilt. The angularity of the tilted entrance type bows to the entering public while mimicking the angle of the internal glass facade.

This innovative new building provides specific services tailored to community needs and includes an integrated local library, community centre and child care centre.

Establishing a new Australian standard of excellence for environmentally sustainable design in civic buildings, the building includes: use of planting together with a thermal labyrinth for passive filtering and tempering of air; incorporation of extensive natural light; solar-tracking timber louvre systems; automated fabric shading; mixed mode ventilation; extensive photovoltaic array; geothermal cooling bores; green roof; rainwater collection and recycling; and sustainable material selection.

The project has been rapidly embraced by the community and well received by industry being awarded UDIA Excellence in Sustainable Design award and the Australian Timber Design Awards Public Building high commendation.

Consulting Architects. Akin Creative
Text and photos copyright of Colliderand FJMT Architects