State Library Victoria's Vision 2020 wins Urban Design Award

State Library Victoria’s Vision 2020 redevelopment has won the Urban Design Award in this year’s Melbourne Awards. Vision 2020 was an ambitious $88.1 million redevelopment that increased public space by 40% and seating by 70%.

Nearly five years in the making, the Vision 2020 redevelopment responded to the changing needs of the Library’s growing community, providing better access to the world’s best knowledge today and into the future.

Completed in December 2019 and led by Architectus and Schmidt Hammer Lassen, the transformative project provided more diverse facilities for Library-goers and more opportunities for creative practitioners and entrepreneurs. 

Highlights include the refurbishment of The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, the Library’s original reading room; the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter, a purpose-built space for children and families to read, learn and play, with an associated program of activities, supported by the Gandel Foundation; and StartSpace, providing support for early-stage business founders.

State Library Victoria Acting CEO Sarah Slade said she is delighted to accept the award.

“The best thing about the award, and Vision 2020, is that we are able to meet the current needs of all Victorians – who ultimately own the building and its collection,” Ms Slade said.

“The redevelopment helped us to create a space where all Victorians feel welcome to access the world’s best knowledge – whether that’s through the Library’s collection, or with the help of the Library’s experts – for research, personal interests or business ideas.

“The refurbished spaces provide a safe, free place for contemplation and connection and house a number of programs and exhibitions to inspire and challenge.

“Vision 2020 wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Victorian State Government, The Ian Potter Foundation, the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, The Hansen Little Foundation, Maria Myers AC and Allan Myers AC, QC, Christine Christian Foundation and Gandel Foundation.”

Now in its 19th year, City of Melbourne’s Melbourne Awards celebrate and recognise the significant contributions of Melburnians. 

The award forms part of the annual Melbourne Awards program and recognises an inspirational role model who has made an outstanding contribution to their field and the Melbourne community. 

For more information about State Library Victoria’s Vision 2020 redevelopment, see here.

-ENDS-

About State Library Victoria
Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. As the custodian of Victoria’s history, each year the library adds more than 70,000 physical and digital items to its rich collection of articles, artworks, photographs, manuscripts, books, journals, artefacts and much more. In 2021, the Library launched a new membership program offering tailored benefits to families, students and culture lovers alongside its flagship free Access membership.