Burwood Council Community Hub

The emergence of digital technologies and networked information has led to a transformation in the design of both civic and workplace environments.

Static desks and offices have been replaced by flexible spaces, agile working opportunities, digitally enabled environments, seamless indoor / outdoor transitions and facilities that foster connection and collaboration.

DesignInc helped Burwood Council rethink a range of their public facilities to better meet the needs of the council team and community. Providing integrated architectural, interior and landscape design services, we designed both new and reimagined spaces to house administrative, library and customer service facilities as well as outdoor areas.

Human-centred design

Applying a human-centred design approach throughout, the result is a series of flexible spaces with warm, durable finishes. With a focus on well-being, natural light is key. A vast array of plants throughout the library, community hub and workplace contribute to a healthy interior environment. Consistent wayfinding and a sophisticated approach to colour unify the various spaces, creating a seamless experience for the community and for council staff across the site.

Location: Gadigal, Dharug Country
Burwood, NSW, New South Wales
Client: Burwood Council
Value: $15M
Scale: 2,500m²
Year: 2021
Project Contact: Richard Does
Photography: Luc Remond, Murray Harris Photography
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A layered history

The Burwood Council precinct site has a layered history, with the original heritage-listed council building on the corner of Conder Street and Elsie Lane dating from 1887. Refurbished as a ‘one stop shop’, customer services centre and the Mayor’s office, the original council chambers provides a grand and welcoming entrance to the precinct.

The 1990s library has been extended and upgraded across two floors to host a wide range of community spaces, a large book collection, virtual reality booths, acoustically treated music suites, learning labs, a multi-purpose amphitheatre and indoor gardens. Digital capabilities include wi-fi throughout, two interactive digital galleries, increased BYOD ports and touchscreen catalogues.

An elevated pedestrian link bridge connects the new building with the old: a conceptual ‘journey’ between the two, overlooking a laneway landscaped with planting, seating and public art.

This transformational project is the realisation of a vision to create a space that reflects our rich history, our thriving present and our optimism for the future.
Cr John Faker
Burwood Council Mayor

Connecting with community

The needs of the existing community were central to both the architectural brief and its translation into our design solution. Burwood library already had a loyal, diverse and engaged community. Prior to the refurbishment the library hosted approximately one million visitors per year, vastly outstripping its capacity, and facilitating the need for this upgrade and expansion. The new library and community hub precinct offers a bigger and better-equipped experience with contemporary technology to connect people with opportunities, information and services at a local and global scale.

On time and on budget

Despite a range of challenges, including working through the COVID-19 pandemic, DesignInc is proud to have worked closely with the Burwood Council team and many consultants to successfully deliver this fantastic project on time and on budget.