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The State Library Victoria Redevelopment: Vision 2020 project has been proudly recognised in the Property Council of Australia’s 2021 Innovation & Excellence Awards, named both Best Heritage Building and Best Public Building of the year.

Completed in December 2019, State Library Victoria Vision 2020 transformed Australia's oldest and busiest public library and one of Victoria’s most important cultural institutions.

At the heart of Vision 2020 was the refurbishment of the Library's iconic Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, the creation of innovative new spaces for children and teenagers, and the reinvention of library services to embrace new technologies that promote digital literacy and creativity.

The ambitious program has ensured that the Library continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of our vibrant, diverse community across Melbourne and regional Victoria, today and into the future whilst uncovering, respecting and celebrating the extraordinary heritage and history of these spaces

‘In redeveloping State Library Victoria, we understood that we were responsible for reimagining a much-loved public cultural institution for the people of Victoria so that it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.’ Said Hannah Clement, Group Head Civic Infrastructure.

'The ambitious program has ensured that the Library continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of our vibrant, diverse community across Melbourne and regional Victoria, today and into the future whilst uncovering, respecting and celebrating the extraordinary heritage and history of these spaces.’

The project was delivered by Development Victoria on behalf of Creative Victoria and State Library of Victoria, and led by an international, award-winning team combining the talents of Australasian design firm Architectus, Scandinavia's Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in partnership with WSP Engineers and Andronas Heritage Architects and the building contractor Built.

Development Victoria was also a finalist in the Diversity category for its commitment to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion, and congratulations also go to three of Development Victoria’s emerging leaders in Kim Nguyen, Dillon MacDonnell and Elizabeth Cook for being recognised as finalists in the Future Leader of the Year Award.

Updated on 26 May 2023