Integrating Heritage and Modern Design

North Fitzroy, in inner Melbourne, has a strong urban history, and a very active local community. After local residents in the professions of heritage and architecture urged stakeholders to be open to bold, modern, multi-storey, geometric, designs, Yarra Council received a concept design from Whitefield/McQueen/Irwin/Alsop for a new library and community hub on a prominent triangular, now vacant site. The concept incorporates a maternal and child health centre, multicultural citizen’s centre, community meeting space, and rooftop garden.

At the meeting, Council agreed that the modern design concept would be used as the basis for developing a more detailed design, in consultation with community representatives. The concept presents a vision for a hub that is contemporary, environmentally friendly, and in keeping with the cultural and historic characteristics of North Fitzroy.