Dunn + Hillam Architects are the recipients of the Premier's Prize for Architecture 2010 for the Junee Library.
The Junee Library was part of a long term strategy of town centre renewal and occupies a site previously held by the local co-operative supermarket. It completes a row of storefronts built in the gold rush era and continues the pattern of the elegant curved glass entry, deep awning and parapet, much of which had been removed during it's time as a supermarket. Though the long side walls and the beautiful roof trusses remain from the original building this was in other ways a completely new building incorporating the leading edge of sustainable technology and library best practice. The Library has been planned to meet the needs of the rapidly changing and dynamic role of a local library within this rural community, providing space to cater for the breadth of community needs in age, purpose and interest and to allow after hours access and flexible use. Junee Shire Council is leading the way with the Junee Library by investing in quality social capital and pushing resource efficiency.
The environmental systems employ radically simple night sky cooling air conditioning, chilled and heated slab, automated stack ventilation and southern natural lighting. All of this means a huge reduction in energy costs (75% less than a conventional building) and zero water use from the grid. The capital investment on this system was comparable to a conventional system and was funded in part by a DECC Climate Change Grant.
Master Builders Association awarded Nash Bros Constructions two Regional Building Awards in 2010 for Junee Library.
The building was opened in August 2009.
Photography by Kilian O'Sullivan