CooroyLibrary&DigitalHub

Created as part of the Mill Place Master Plan, the Cooroy Library and Digital Information Hub forms a link between the town’s main street and the Butter Factory Art Gallery. Voted as one of the ‘six coolest libraries in the world’ the building is packed with cutting edge technology and environmentally sustainable features, including a grass covered earth roof which assists in stabilising temperatures and reducing cooling and heating requirements. During the tendering process, Hutchies proposed a selection of value management options that offered in excess of 10% saving on project costs. More than 90% of these suggested modifications were included in the final design.

The contemporary design posed some unique challenges, including a waterproofing solution for the earth roof, and the implementation of a subterranean mechanical cooling system which incorporated cooled air from culverts under the building to provide a sustainable air-conditioning system. Another significant challenge was the plugging of an existing mine shaft under the building.

The library has state-of-the-art facilities for toddlers, teens and the aging community, including a children’s discovery area with padded outdoor courtyard, toy library, group study room, community lounge with entertainment unit and space for 1000 DVDs and CDs. The young adult area includes with Xbox and Play-station consoles, sunken outdoor courtyard, fully glassed `peaceful lounge’, computer training room. The facility also provides with after-hours access for community and commercial groups.