First look at designs for new Melbourne community hub

Designs for City of Melbourne’s newest library in the historic Queen Victoria Market precinct have been revealed as part of the city’s $500 million Munro development.

Six Degrees Architects has revealed schematic designs for the Munro Library and Community Hub ahead of the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday 2 August.

Councillors will consider the proposed designs for the community facility which will occupy the three floors of the Munro building. The design is intended to improve access for residents, workers, students and visitors in the city’s inner north and activate the growing district.

If endorsed, the new 3,100-square-metre space will also include a dedicated children’s library; a Family Service Centre with maternal health consulting rooms, a parent room and playgroup room; a community rooftop terrace; and more. The new library and community hub will also target a 5 Star Green star rating for sustainable design and construction.

The new hub is a response to local demand for more inclusive spaces and amenities, and will deliver a welcome boost to the local economy, drawing in more visitors than ever before.

Creative Melbourne portfolio lead Councillor Jamal Hakim said the hub will create a new destination for education, creativity and community support as the area anticipates a further 24,000 new residents by 2040.

“Libraries are the most inclusive and accessible public space we have. We want Munro to become a place that sparks imagination and provides plenty of opportunities to expand minds and transform the lives of Melburnians,” Hakim said.

Council said it worked closely with Traditional Owners and Elders to ensure the proposed designs reflected Aboriginal culture, celebrated First Nations knowledge systems and welcomed members of the Aboriginal community.

The designs were informed by community stakeholder engagement, and the new library and community hub are expected to open to the public in late 2023.