Jindabyne was the largest regional town in NSW without a library facility, beyond the mobile library, and many community members who campaigned for 30-plus years to see this come to fruition.
The new library, the first of the Small Library Projects, a collaboration with fjmt studio and the State Library of NSW, was opened by Minister for Tourism, Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth, Ben Franklin.
The Snowy Monaro Council is proud this is one of the most cross-organisational projects council has delivered.
This facility is a major asset for Jindabyne, made possible through Create NSW’s Regional Cultural Fund and the 2021/22 Public Library Infrastructure Grant Program.
The council believes Jindabyne Library is a beautiful addition to the built environment.
The library boasts views of Lake Jindabyne and has a respectful relationship to the heritage listed Jindabyne Memorial Hall.
The building utilises sustainable CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) sourced from Tumbarumba State Forest and exposed timber provides a biophilic response to enhance user wellbeing.
Architects fjmt referenced local architecture and the surrounds to ensure the built form could be experienced as a form “in the round”.
It responds to nearby building lines, with colours inspired by snowgums and points of interest at each orientation.
The simple roof forms lends to natural light and contemporary spaces for civic use. Ngarigo Elders will be consulted on naming internal sections.
The site build commenced in March with CLT walls, structural steel and CLT roof panels installed in eight days (a conventional build is 18-20 days). And 65 per cent of local trades were utilised on the project, and local students interested in trade pathways were hosted.
The modular library will remain on site for at least five years before it may be repurposed, dependent on the proposed Jindabyne civic area under the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP).
