Recycled materials at the heart of Docklands’ Library at the Dock

Library at the Dock – a next-generation library and community centre has become the centrepiece of Victoria Harbour in Melbourne’s Docklands. 

The three-story building, completed in 2014 features reclaimed ironbark hardwood beams and columns in the indoor-outdoor space, while the promenade decking is made from local hardwood, recycled from the old wharf structure at Victoria Harbour.

For Development Victoria, the key focus for the project was to create a cultural, recreational facility that would enrich the local community at Docklands. Library at the Dock demonstrates that libraries are no longer merely places to quietly borrow books. They also perform a much more complex and necessary role today as readily accessible hubs for lifelong learning where the community can interact, share thoughts and ideas, explore news interests and develop new skills.

The library has won several sustainable design and architecture awards, including two 2014 Australian Timber Design Awards, the 2015 National Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture and the Development of the Year award at the 2016 Property Council of Australia Victorian awards.

Designed by Hayball, the Library at the Dock was delivered through a partnership between the City of Melbourne, Development Victoria (then Places Victoria) and Lendlease.

In keeping with the advice of the Victorian Government, all City of Melbourne libraries are now open.