Designers sought for State Library Victoria Vision 2020 redevelopment

An Expression of Interest for a Design Consultant team has been released for the $83 million State Library Victoria Vision 2020 redevelopment project, the Victorian Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley announced last week.

The project includes the restoration of Queen’s Hall, reopening the library’s Russell Street entrance, an e-Town Hall that will connect regional public libraries, and new spaces for early learning, digital media, entrepreneurship and exhibitions.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) seeks a consultant team with experience in projects of a similar scale and complexity and a demonstrated track record of design excellence across all stages of a project.

“This is an historic project for State Library Victoria and for our state, one that will celebrate the building’s magnificent heritage and return significant spaces to public use,” said Mr Foley.

“It will firmly position Australia’s oldest and busiest public library as a contemporary centre of knowledge, inspiration and innovation at the heart of our education state and creative industries for 2020 and beyond.”

The design team will be chosen through a two-stage process and will be expected to have an understanding of world’s best practice in the refurbishment of significant heritage buildings and the latest innovations in library facilities and major cultural institutions.

The Expressions of Interest process ends on 10 November 2015. This will be followed by a Request for Tender, expected to be released to shortlisted registrants in mid-January 2016. The selected design team will be announced in mid-March 2016.

“The Vision 2020 redevelopment will refurbish our iconic heritage spaces, expand our public space and create state-of-the-art new facilities for connection, learning and innovation for all Victorians,” said Library Board of Victoria President, John Wylie.

“We are very excited to see this vision realised, with the help of the Victorian government, our philanthropic supporters and our project partners.”

The Victorian Government is providing $55.4 million for the project, which is to be staged over five years. Construction is due to begin in 2017.

Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 19 October, 2015, http://www.urbanalyst.com/in-the-news/victoria/3653-city-of-melbourne-to-consider-draft-bicycle-plan-2016-20.html