VISION 41 — PAGE TURNER
Previously split by the rail line, the city of some 16,000
lacked a central community space. Dedicated to learning,
leisure, scholarship and play, the Frank Bartlett Library
and Moe Service Centre connects once dislocated
town precincts. The intersection of new technologies
and sharp architecture are showing the way. And not just
with rows of old books and hand-me-down buildings, but
places that celebrate local identity in unexpected ways.
Peter Hyatt spoke with Geoff Croker of FJMT about how
this project first raised a city’s hopes, and then delivered:
What’s the secret to its success?
It’s very bold, but appropriate.
The nice thing is it’s community driven.
VISION
GEOFF CROKER
Why a library in this place?
We wanted to create a new heart and focal point
for Moe. The city was divided by the train line into a north
and south. This building aims to bridge both sides of the
city while creating a new civic hub. The north-facing
plaza fronting the main street really emphasizes the
location and reveals views across the mountains
to the north and south.
Was there ever any discussion about whether the
city needed a library, cinema, shopping centre,
or some other focus?
No, it was always going to be a library, but it’s also a
community building. There are also community meeting
and consultation rooms and community kitchen for
cooking classes. There’s a green roof as public plaza.
There’s the main street plaza for community markets
and activities and a café on the eastern end for train
commuters. That’s all part of a vision which we also
participated in for the whole strip, so it’s stage one.
Then there’s a park which includes potentially a skate
park, playgrounds and community barbecue areas.